Asia Pacific Airlines traffic results - February 2010

Preliminary figures released today by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) provide further confirmation of an ongoing global economic recovery, with a continuing pickup in both passenger travel and air cargo demand. Collectively, airlines based in the Asia Pacific region transported 14.2 million international passengers in February, an increase of 16.9% compared to the same month last year.

In revenue passenger kilometre (RPK) terms, international passenger traffic posted a 14.0% gain, indicating the relative strength of demand on routes within the region. The average passenger load factor for the month was 79.2%, reflecting stronger demand while available seat capacity was only 2.4% higher than a year ago.

Air cargo demand, as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTKs), recorded growth of 29.8% in February compared to the same month last year, close to the bottom of the downturn. The average international air cargo load factor for Asia Pacific carriers was 10.3 percentage points higher at 68.5%, even with a 10.2% increase in offered freight capacity.

Commenting on the results, Mr. Andrew Herdman, AAPA Director General said, The signs of economic recovery which first became evident in the fourth quarter of 2009 have continued to gather momentum.

For the first two months of 2010 we have seen a 12.8% increase in international passenger numbers, with prospects for further growth in both leisure and business travel in the coming months.

International air cargo demand for the first two months of 2010 has recorded a dramatic rebound, up 33.5% compared to the same period last year when the industry was suffering from the worst effects of the slump in international trade. Whilst the recent recovery has been led by the more dynamic Asia Pacific economies, it is worth noting that the rebound in demand for international air cargo has been broadly based, with both exports and imports from other regions showing renewed vigour.