AAPA airlines report further increase in international pax in Dec-2009

Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) reports (22-Jan-2010) the following international traffic highlights for its member airlines:

• Dec-2009:
  • Passenger numbers: 12.1 million, +8.5% year-on-year;
  • Passenger load factor: 78.5%, +5.9 ppts;
  • Cargo traffic (FTKs): +24.5%;
• 12 months ended 31-Dec-2009:
  • Passenger numbers: 132.9 million, -5.7%;
  • Passenger load factor: 74.6%, -0.4 ppt;
  • Cargo traffic (FTKs): -11.0%. [more][more - Perspective]

AAPA: "Overall, Asia Pacific airlines are expected to report significant losses for 2009, following similar heavy losses suffered in 2008…on a more optimistic note, traffic trends in recent months have shown signs of recovery, in line with the improving global economic outlook led by developing economies in the Asia Pacific region. The cargo business is regaining some of its dynamism, and passenger demand in short-haul leisure routes within the region has already picked up, although business travel demand is recovering more slowly…whilst we remain hopeful about future prospects, the outlook for 2010 very much depends on the sustainability of what still appears to be a rather fragile global economic recovery," Andrew Herdman, Director General. Source: AAPA, 22-Jan-2010.