Passenger traffic showed solid growth in demand in 2018 with continued expansion in the global economy lending support to business and leisure travel markets throughout the year, according to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).
The association today released figures for the year and it said overall, the region’s airlines recorded a firm seven per cet increase in the number of international passengers carried to a combined total of 356.6 million in 2018.
In revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) terms, demand increased by 6.9 per cent, reflecting broad-based demand on both short and long haul markets. After accounting for a six per cent increase in available seat capacity, the average international passenger load factor edged 0.6 percentage points higher to 80.6 per cent for the year.
Meanwhile, international air cargo demand as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK) grew by 3.9 per cent in 2018, moderating somewhat compared with the strong 9.6 per cent increase registered in the previous year.
AAPA director general, Andrew Herdman said, “International passenger traffic carried by Asian airlines grew by 7% in 2018, even stronger than the 6.4% growth achieved in the preceding year. New routes and frequencies provided more options to travellers, sustaining the growth in demand. In addition, whilst air fares rose in response to higher oil prices, ticket prices remained relatively affordable, capped by stiff competition.
“Overall, in 2018, the region’s airlines benefitted from robust growth in passenger traffic and further expansion in cargo demand. Higher average airfares and record high load factors lifted passenger yields after several years of declines. Cargo yields also firmed slightly despite falling load factors.
“However, cost pressures continued to increase, with higher fuel expenditure driven by a 30% increase in jet fuel prices which averaged US$85 per barrel for the year, despite falling back significantly towards the end of the year.”
Looking ahead, Herdman said, “Whilst expectations of continued moderate growth in the global economy should lend further support to travel markets in the coming months, there are some downside risks including weakness in trade activity and potential erosion in business and consumer sentiment.
“The region’s airlines are alert to such factors which may affect the market environment, but remain focused on cost management, and investing in future growth opportunities.”
