Monday, 31 March 2014 00:00
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Preliminary traffic figures from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) for the month of February 2014, show further growth in international passenger markets, whereas air cargo markets were relatively flat due to the timing of the Chinese New Year holidays.
Overall, an aggregate total of 19.7 million international passengers flew on the region’s carriers in February, 4.6% more than the same month last year, boosted by an increase in leisure travel during the festive period. In revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) terms, international passenger demand similarly grew by 4.6% reflecting healthy demand for both long haul and regional travel. Available seat capacity expanded by 5.4%, leading to a 0.5 percentage point decline in the average international passenger load factor to 77.4% for the month.
Measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), international freight demand of Asia Pacific carriers was 0.3% lower compared to the same month last year, partly a result of the closure of regional manufacturing plants during the Chinese New Year holidays. Offered freight capacity increased by 1.6%, resulting in a 1.2 percentage point fall in the average international freight load factor to 61.2%.
Commenting on the results, Andrew Herdman, AAPA Director General said: “During the first two months of the year, the region’s airlines carried a total of 41 million international passengers, a solid 7.4% increase compared to the same period last year. Regional economic growth remained robust, whilst modest economic improvements in the Euro zone helped boost business and consumer confidence, in turn lending support to international passenger travel. For international freight markets, combined figures for the first two months showed a 2.0% increase compared to weaker volumes seen during the same period last year, but the recovery in air cargo demand remains somewhat tentative.”
Looking ahead, Herdman added: “Although the recent improvement in business conditions and slight pick-up in world trade growth is encouraging, Asian carriers continue to face multiple competitive challenges that have been pressuring yields and margins across the board.”
