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Preliminary figures from the Association of Asia
Pacific Airlines (AAPA) for the month of June 2010 reaffirm the
strength of the ongoing economic recovery, with significant growth
reported for both passenger and freight traffic.
Asia Pacific-based airlines carried a total of
15.1 million international passengers in June, a sharp 25.2% gain
compared to the depressed volumes seen in the same month last
year. International passenger traffic, measured in revenue
passenger kilometres (RPK) grew by 19%, indicating particularly
strong growth on short-haul routes. Available seat capacity grew
by a moderate 6.4%, resulting in an 8.5 percentage point increase
in the average international passenger load factor to 79.5%.
International air cargo demand also remained
robust in June, with Asian carriers reporting a 30.4% growth in
freight tonne kilometres (FTK) compared to the same month last
year. Even with a 22.1% expansion in freight capacity, the average
international cargo load factor grew by 4.5 percentage points to
reach 70.8%.
Commenting on the results, Mr Andrew
Herdman, AAPA Director General said, “During the first half of the
year, Asia Pacific carriers carried 89 million international
passengers, 14.9% up on the same period last year, spearheaded by
a strong recovery in regional traffic. At the same time,
international air cargo demand climbed by 34.8%, marking a
dramatic recovery from the steep declines in international trade
we experienced in the same period last year.”
Mr
Herdman added, “Asia Pacific-based airlines have seen a solid
recovery in leisure and business travel, as well as robust air
cargo demand, with overall traffic back to pre-recession levels.
Capacity increases have been relatively restrained, leading to
higher load factors and improving cost efficiencies as airlines
work towards restoring profitability.”
“The business outlook for the coming months remains
broadly positive, with the International Monetary Fund projecting
a global economic growth rate of 4.6% for the year, led by 9.2%
growth in Asia’s more dynamic economies. Airlines are well
positioned to meet the expected growth in demand, through a
combination of new aircraft deliveries and further improvements in
fleet utilisation. However, even with an improving revenue
environment, strict cost disciplines are still the key to success
in this business.”
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June 2010
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