Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Preliminary traffic figures for the month of September released today by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) showed international air
passenger demand expanded at a healthy pace, whilst international air cargo markets
continued to enjoy double-digit growth in traffic volumes.
Underpinned by robust business and consumer activity, the region’s airlines registered a
5.6% increase in the number of international air passengers carried to a combined total of
25.2 million in September. Demand as measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK)
increased by 7.5%, underscoring continued strength in long haul travel markets. The
average international passenger load factor edged 0.5 percentage points higher to
78.4%, on a 6.8% expansion in available seat capacity.
International air cargo demand, in freight tonne kilometres (FTK) increased by a solid
11.4% compared to the same month last year, reflecting the on-going pick-up in global
trade across major advanced and emerging market economies. Offered freight capacity
grew by 5.7%, resulting in a 3.4 percentage point rise in the average international freight
load factor to 66.0% for the month.
Commenting on the results, Mr. Andrew Herdman, AAPA Director General said, “The
global economy is in pretty good shape, with encouraging growth in both international air
passenger and cargo demand seen this year.”
Mr. Herdman added, “Overall, Asia Pacific airlines carried a combined total of 235 million
international air passengers during the first nine months of the year, with passenger traffic
in RPK terms growing by 7.9% compared to the same period last year. During the same
period, Asian airlines recorded a firm 10.7% increase in international air cargo traffic
volumes.”
Source:- AAPA
