Asia-Pacific airlines see huge passenger growth in July

Asia-Pacific airlines recorded a huge upswing in passenger numbers on both regional and long-haul routes in July, an industry group said yesterday, but warned the rebound could taper off.

The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines said regional airlines carried a record 17.2 million international passengers in July, up 20.4 per cent from a year earlier.

“During the first seven months of the year, Asia-Pacific-based airlines saw a 15.6 per cent increase in the number of international passengers carried, reflecting growing consumer confidence across the Asia-Pacific region,” said AAPA director general Andrew Herdman.

“Commercial activity has also picked up strongly, leading to a rebound in premium passenger traffic on both regional and long-haul routes,” he added, referring to business and first-class travel, which slumped in the downturn.

Herdman however predicted less stellar figures in the months ahead amid uncertainty over the prospects for further growth in North America and Europe.

“The very high growth rates recorded in recent months, as a result of the surprisingly sharp V-shaped recovery, will obviously taper off as the economy stabilises and reverts to a more normal pattern of growth,” hesaid.

Underpinned by remarkable trade flows, international air cargo demand was also strong, with Asian carriers reporting a 27.7 per cent growth in “freight tonne kilometres” year-on-year, the industry body said.