AAPA intl pax up 8% to 26.7m in Jan-2017, cargo traffic up 5%

Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) reported (27-Feb-2017) the following international traffic highlights for its member airlines in Jan-2017:

• Passenger numbers: 26.7 million, +7.7% year-on-year;
• Passenger traffic: +8.1%;
• Capacity (ASKs): +5.9%;
• Passenger load factor: 81.8%, +1.7 ppts;
• Cargo traffic (FTKs): +4.7%;
• Cargo load factor: 59.4%, +0.5 ppt. [more - original PR]

AAPA: "The overall picture for the year ahead looks broadly positive, against a backdrop of renewed optimism on global growth prospects and improving consumer and business confidence across sectors. However, air travel markets remain intensely competitive, with margins still under pressure from the effects of rising fuel costs. Overall, airlines remain pro-active in looking for new growth opportunities, whilst carefully managing costs in a bid to preserve earnings margins." Source: Company statement, 27-Feb-2017.