Asia Pacific Airlines Carried 28.2 Million
Passengers in September 2018
[HD videos below] Preliminary traffic figures from the Association
of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) for the month of September 2018
show sustained growth in both international air passenger demand
and air cargo markets, amid continued moderation in the global
manufacturing sector.
The region's airlines registered a 5.9%
year-on-year increase in the number of international passengers
carried to a combined total of 28.2 million for the month.
Underscoring strength in both regional and long haul travel
markets, demand as measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK)
recorded a 6.0% increase. The average international passenger load
factor climbed 1.0 percentage points higher to 79.6% in September,
following a 4.6% expansion in available seat capacity.
International air cargo demand as measured in
freight tonne kilometres (FTK) grew by 4.4% year-on-year in
September, against a backdrop of easing expansion in global
manufacturing production and new business orders. After accounting
for a 6.5% increase in offered freight capacity, the average
international freight load factor declined by 1.3 percentage
points to 64.3% for the month.
Commenting on the results, Mr.
Andrew Herdman,
AAPA Director General said, "Thanks to strong business and leisure
travel demand, Asian airlines have experienced impressive growth
in passenger markets thus far this year, underpinned by the
region's expanding economies and buoyant global services sectors. Overall, during the first nine months of the
year, the region's airlines experienced a robust 7.7% increase in
the number of international passengers carried to a combined total
of 267 million. In the same period, international air cargo demand
grew by 4.7%, benefitting from sustained growth in international
trade. The third quarter saw a slightly more moderate 4.3%
increase in air cargo demand, compared to the 4.8% growth recorded
during the first half of the year."
Looking ahead, Mr. Herdman said, "Global
business confidence remains relatively firm, but may be undermined
by uncertainty about emerging geopolitical risks and policy
responses to escalating trade disputes. Nevertheless, Asian
airlines expect continued growth in air travel demand in the
coming months. Air cargo demand is also being supported by further
growth in e-commerce. Overall, Asian airlines remain focused on
adapting to changes in this always dynamic industry, seeking out
additional growth opportunities whilst striving to maintain
margins pressured by the impact of higher fuel prices."
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