Boosted by stronger export markets, Asia-Pacific carriers showed positive growth in international air cargo traffic in March and in the first quarter of the year.
Data from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) showed that freight volumes in March rose 6.7 percent year-over-year.
Offered freight capacity grew by 5.9 percent, pushing the average international air cargo load factor for Asia Pacific 0.5 percentage points higher to 68.4 percent, the first increase seen in over a year, AAPA noted.
For the first quarter, international freight markets saw an encouraging 3.8 percent growth in traffic. Andrew Herdman, AAPA director general, said this was further evidence of a pickup in international trade that has been leading to stronger demand for Asian exports.
“Asian carriers continue to face a challenging operating environment marked by increased competition pressuring yields, whilst on the cost side of the equation many carriers have been adversely affected by volatile currency markets,” Herdman added.
“Nevertheless, the overall demand outlook remains broadly positive, driven by expectations of further improvements to global economic conditions including a long awaited recovery in international trading activity.”
Photo: Simon Boddy
