Asia Pacific airlines show ‘modest’ traffic growth for May

Japanese outbound leisure traffic showed some welcome signs of recovery
Andrew Herdman
Director General
Association of Asia Pacific Airlines

ASIA PACIFIC. Preliminary traffic figures for May released today by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) showed further modest growth in international traffic, with member carriers in the region handling 14.8 million international passengers, up +3.4% year-on-year.

Those figures were underpinned by continued strength in both leisure and business travel markets, AAPA said.

International passenger traffic, measured in revenue passenger kilometre (RPK) terms, grew by +4.7% reflecting relatively stronger demand on long haul routes. Combined with a +5.1% increase in available seat capacity, the average international passenger load factor was 73.6%, marginally lower than the comparable figure for the same month last year.

AAPA Director General Andrew Herdman said: “On the passenger side of the business, we were pleased to see continued growth in travel demand, with both leisure and business travel markets showing positive results. Japanese outbound leisure traffic showed some welcome signs of recovery [since the earthquake and tsunami -Ed], as did business travel to and from Japan. However, inbound leisure traffic flows to Japan remain weak; it will take more time to fully restore public confidence.

“Over the first five months of the year Asian airlines have seen +2.5% growth in the number of international passengers carried, whereas international air cargo traffic has declined by -2.4% during the same period.

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“The combination of slower revenue growth and sharply higher fuel costs means airline operating margins are under severe pressure. Continued vigilance in controlling costs, and carefully matching capacity to the projected changes in demand will be the key to sustaining profitability.”

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