ASIA PACIFIC. Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) today reported healthy international passenger growth in July.
Regional initiatives encouraging travel continued to yield positive results, with relaxation of visa policies underpinning the influx of travellers during the peak summer holiday season.
Latest preliminary traffic figures released by the association reveal international passengers rose +22.6% year-on-year to 31.9 million. The steady growth boosted traffic volumes to 95.5% of the levels seen in the same month of pre-pandemic 2019.
Available seat capacity expanded by +21.2%, marginally surpassing the +20.5% demand increase measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK). As a result, the average international passenger load decreased marginally -0.6% to 82.6% in July.
Association of Asia Pacific Airlines Director General Subhas Menon said: “The strong demand trend observed in the first half of the year carried into July, with Asian airlines reporting growth in both international passenger and cargo markets.
“Overall, during the first seven months of the year, the number of international passengers carried grew by a solid +39% to 208 million, supported by network expansions.”
Looking ahead he added: “Despite ongoing supply chain disruptions, the outlook for travel markets remains positive, as Asia Pacific airlines continue to benefit from resilient business and leisure demand. In particular, China-based airlines are experiencing solid growth in passenger demand as traffic in China recovers, driving overall expansion.
“In response to passenger demand in a dynamic marketplace, Asian airlines are pursuing new revenue opportunities by launching innovative products and services. At the same time, the region’s carriers continue to be focused on improving operational efficiency and intensifying sustainability initiatives, while maintaining profitability.” ✈️
