KUALA LUMPUR, 31 March 2025: International passenger traffic and cargo uplift continued to grow, supported by positive business and consumer demand across the region, according to preliminary data for February released by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).
An aggregate total of 30.8 million international passengers flew on the region’s airlines in February, representing a 5.9% increase over the number recorded in the same month last year on the back of the Lunar New Year holiday period.
In revenue passenger kilometre (RPK) terms, demand grew by 9.2% year-on-year, reflecting relative strength in long-haul markets. When considering an 8.6% expansion in available seat capacity, the average international passenger load factor edged 0.4 percentage points higher to 82.2% for the month.
Meanwhile, as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), international air cargo demand grew by a more modest 2.8% year-on-year in February, as export activity slowed across the major manufacturing hubs, notably China, during the festive celebrations.
Offered freight capacity increased by 6.0%, outpacing the growth in demand to result in a 1.7 percentage point decline in the average international freight load factor to 56.5% for the month.
Commenting on the results, AAPA Director General Subhas Menon,said: “In the first two months of the year, combined international passenger traffic for the region’s carriers rose by a robust 13%, reaching a total of 66 million passengers. During the same period, international air cargo demand increased by 4% year-on-year, supported by higher consumer and intermediate goods demand.”
Looking Menon noted: “Overall, airlines are expected to continue to benefit from sustained travel demand and growth in air shipments due to ongoing expansion in e-commerce activity. However, the region’s carriers are facing headwinds, particularly as rising costs, driven partly by fleet capacity constraints, continue to exert pressure on revenue.”
He concluded: “The recent rise in protectionist sentiment also presents potential trade and broader business activity challenges. In response, Asian airlines are maintaining a cautious stance, closely monitoring evolving operating conditions while actively exploring opportunities in high-potential growth markets.”
