Asia Pacific airlines enjoy passenger and cargo growth in May

Preliminary traffic figures from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) for the month of May 2015 show further gains in international passenger demand and air cargo markets.

Boosted by strong leisure travel demand, the region’s carriers recorded an 11.8% increase in the number of international passengers carried in May to an aggregate total of 22.9 million.

Traffic, in revenue passenger kilometre (RPK) terms, grew by a corresponding 9.6%, outpacing the 6.7% expansion in available seat capacity to result in a 2.1 percentage point increase in the average international passenger load factor to 76.3%.

Air cargo demand, in freight tonne kilometre (FTK) terms, increased by 2.9%, whilst offered freight capacity grew by 5.1%, leading to a 1.4 percentage point decrease in the average international freight load factor to 63.5% for the month.

“International air passenger markets remained buoyant in May, led by firm demand in major North Asian markets. Taken together, the first five months of the year saw Asian airlines post a healthy 9.9% increase in the number of international passengers carried to a combined total of 113.6 million,” said AAPA Director General Andrew Herdman. “International air cargo markets recorded further growth in May, albeit at a moderate pace compared to the preceding months when demand was boosted by congestion in US West Coast maritime ports. Overall, Asian airlines registered a 6.3% increase in international air freight demand for the first five months of the year.”

“Overall, air passenger markets are expected to maintain robust growth rates, with competitive fares making air travel very affordable. The demand environment for air cargo markets also remains positive, although the pace of expansion appears to be moderating. Asian carriers are continuing to strive for further operating efficiencies with an eye on improving overall profitability this year after some disappointing results in 2014,” Herdman added.

Airports in Asia Pacific report 9.3% passenger traffic growth for April 

According to ACI Asia Pacific, passenger traffic exhibited solid growth for the month of April 2015, with Asia Pacific airports reporting 9.3% growth, and airports in the Middle East an 8% gain year-on-year.

The positive growth in most of Asia Pacific airports was contributed in part by the boost during the Easter holiday period.

A number of the major airports reported close to 20% year-on-year growth: Shanghai Pudong (PVG) +19.9%, Incheon (ICN) +18.9%, Mumbai (BOM) +20.7%.

Bangkok Don Muang (DMK) continued to deliver the highest growth among major Asia Pacific airports at +42.2% whereas both Doha (DOH) and Abu Dhabi (AUH) led the Middle East with +15.5% growth.

Air freight in Asia Pacific experienced marginal growth of +2.6% year-on-year for the month.

The slowing down in freight volumes reflected weaker demands from Europe and slowdown across Asian export markets.

The Middle East sustained strong growth at +14.5% due to expansion in both capacity and network.

Among major cargo airports in the region, New Delhi (DEL) led Asia Pacific with the highest growth rate at +19% whereas Dubai (aggregate DXB & DWC1) led the Middle East at +19.6% for the month.