Asia Pacific Airlines Traffic Results for April 2014

Preliminary traffic figures from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) for the month of April 2014 show encouraging growth in both international passenger and air cargo markets.

A total of 21.0 million international passengers flew on Asia Pacific-based airlines in April, a 7.4% increase compared to the same month last year, boosted partly by leisure travel demand during the Easter holiday season in some countries.

Measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), international passenger traffic grew by 7.0%, a reflection of comparatively stronger demand for short-haul travel. However, the average international passenger load factor edged 0.3 percentage points lower to 76.4% for the month, on a 7.5% increase in available seat capacity.

For the region's carriers, international air cargo demand in freight tonne kilometres (FTK) increased by 4.7% in April, on the back of sustained demand for Asian exports. However, freight load factors remained under pressure due to capacity expansion. With offered freight capacity expanding by 5.3%, the international freight load factor averaged 64.3% in April, 0.4 percentage points lower than the same month last year.

Commenting on the results, Mr. Andrew Herdman, AAPA Director General said, "International passenger traffic demand continued to grow, with the region's carriers registering a 5.2% increase in international passenger numbers during the first four months of the year. This was on the back of an improvement in business and consumer sentiment in most economies worldwide. During the same period, air cargo demand for the region's carriers grew by 4.2%, thanks to an improvement in global trade conditions."

Looking ahead, Mr. Herdman added, "The overall demand environment looks positive, underpinned by positive growth in the global economy. However, the region's carriers continue to face intense competition in the marketplace with signs of overcapacity and the resulting yield pressures."