ASIA PACIFIC. Asia Pacific airlines carried 28 million international passengers in February – a robust +7.7% year-on-year increase.
The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) said growth was underpinned “by positive business and consumer sentiment across major advanced and emerging market economies”.
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The organisation also noted that the figures were boosted by an increase in leisure travellers during the Chinese New Year festive period.
Demand grew by +8.9%, as measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK). This was largely driven by growth in long-haul travel markets, AAPA said. The average international passenger load factor edged 0.8 percentage points higher to 81.2% for the month, after accounting for a +7.8% expansion in available seat capacity.
During the first two months of the year, Asian airlines carried a total of 57.5 million international passengers. This represents a +4.9% year-on-year increase.
“Positive global economic conditions, with firm business confidence levels, helped boost premium class markets,” said AAPA Director General Andrew Herdman. “Continued availability of affordable airfares encouraged growth in the economy class segment.”
Looking ahead, Herdman said ongoing positive global economic momentum provided “continued optimism” for further expansion in the aviation markets in the coming months.
But there are still some threats, he noted. “The recent rise in protectionist rhetoric poses some risks to trade and business activity. Overall, Asian airlines continue to exercise vigilance in identifying any further changes in operating conditions, whilst seeking opportunities in growth markets.”
