Preliminary traffic figures for the month of January released by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) showed a good start to the year, with further growth in both international air passenger and air cargo markets.

For the region’s carriers, the increase in leisure travel demand leading up to the Lunar New Year festive period helped underpin 7.7 percent growth in international air passenger numbers to a total of 26.8 million for the month. Demand in revenue passenger kilometer (RPK) terms climbed 8.1 percent higher, buoyed by relatively robust demand for travel within the region and on selected long-haul routes. The average international passenger load factor strengthened further, by 1.7 percentage points, to reach 81.8 percent after accounting for a 5.9 percent expansion in available seat capacity.

International air cargo demand, measured in freight ton kilometers (FTK), grew by 4.7 percent. Offered freight capacity expanded by 3.8 percent, resulting in a 0.5 percentage point rise in the average international freight load factor to 59.4 percent for the month.

“The year started on an encouraging note for Asian carriers, with both international air passenger and cargo markets growing strongly, boosted by the timing of the Lunar New Year holidays,” said Andrew Herdman, the AAPA director general. “The overall picture for  the year ahead looks broadly positive, against a backdrop of renewed optimism on global growth prospects and
improving consumer and business confidence across sectors. However, air travel markets remain intensely competitive, with margins still under pressure from the effects of rising fuel costs. Overall, airlines remain proactive in looking for new growth opportunities, while carefully managing costs in a bid to preserve earnings margins.”