AAPA pax numbers up and pax load factor stable in Jan-2012, cargo traffic down 14%

Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) reports (22-Feb-2012) the following international traffic highlights for its member airlines in Jan-2012:

• Passenger numbers: 17.2 million, +7.3% year-on-year;
• Passenger load factor: 78.2%, -0.2 ppt;
• Cargo traffic (FTKs): -13.7%;
• Cargo load factor: 59.6%, -5.7 ppts. [more - original PR]

AAPA: "The continuing growth in passenger numbers marks an encouraging start to the year for Asian carriers. The slump in air cargo demand mainly reflects the earlier timing of the Lunar New Year holidays this year, but is nevertheless also a reminder of the still uncertain outlook for the global economy in the year ahead. With Europe sliding into recession, we expect this to be another challenging year for the industry, but remain guardedly optimistic given some tentative signs of recovery in the US and continuing positive momentum here in Asia," Andrew Herdman, director general. Source: Company statement, 22-Feb-2012.