Growth in international air cargo and air passenger demand progressed at an encouraging pace in April, driven by further expansions in global service and manufacturing sectors, according to traffic figures from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).
While signs indicate that international trade flows may be easing, international air cargo demand for the region’s carriers saw a solid 5.8% year-on-year increase in April. “Improvement in client demand within the region, on the back of stronger domestic conditions, aided growth in air cargo markets,” AAPA said.
After accounting for a 6.6% expansion in offered freight capacity, the average international freight load factor was 0.5 percentage points lower at 64.1% for the month.
Meanwhile, a combined total of 29.8 million international passengers were carried by the region’s airlines in April, representing a robust 9.3% increase compared to the same month last year.
Business activity strengthened across major advanced and emerging market economies during the month, with positive confidence levels boosting growth in business travel demand. At the same time, continued availability of affordable airfares driven by promotional campaigns supported growth in leisure travel markets.
Overall, passenger demand increased by 8.3% year-on-year, ahead of the 7.2% expansion in available seat capacity. As a result, the average international passenger load factor edged 0.8 percentage points higher to 81.5% for the month.
Andrew Herdman, AAPA director general, said, “The global economy is still on a solid footing, with growth in most sectors, including technology and consumer goods. Accordingly, business and consumer sentiment remained relatively positive, underpinning further growth in passenger travel and air cargo demand.”
Overall, during the first four months of the year, Asia Pacific airlines carried an aggregate total of 118 million international passengers, a solid 7.3% increase compared to the same period last year. Correspondingly, air cargo demand registered an encouraging 5.7% growth during the same period, on top of the strong 9.6% annual increase recorded in 2017.
Looking ahead, Herdman said, “Sustained growth in the region and the wider global economic expansion lends credence to a positive market outlook for the remainder of the year. However, operating conditions remain challenging, with airlines still facing intense competition and the pressure of sharply higher fuel costs, up more than 30% compared to last year.”
Changi Airport volumes still buoyant
Meanwhile, Singapore Changi Airport reported processing 179,410 tonnes of cargo shipments in April, up 4.5% to compared to the same period last year, and handling 5.43 million passenger movements, a 5.1% year-on-year increase.
In April, South Asia, underpinned by India and Sri Lanka traffic, registered strong growth. Among Changi’s top 10 country markets, China, Vietnam, and Japan also registered good growth. Passenger traffic to and from Europe increased by 13%, boosted by travel on new services to London and Munich.
Photo: Dilushasg
