Asia air cargo declines in October

International passenger and cargo traffic for AAPA member airlines registered further declines in October, as the sharp slowdown in the global economy was reflected in weaker demand for air travel and airfreight.

International passenger numbers for the month were down 4.1% to 11.6 million, while passenger traffic measured in RPK terms fell by 5.2%. The average international passenger load factor for October fell 3.1 percentage points to 73.1%, as a 1.2% reduction in capacity failed to match the reduction in demand.
The deterioration in AAPA international air cargo traffic in October was even more pronounced, with an 11.0% decline, in FTK terms, compared to the same month last year.

Despite a 7.5% reduction in cargo capacity, the average international cargo load factor for the month fell 2.6 percentage points to 65.4%.

Commenting on the results, Mr. Andrew Herdman, AAPA Director General said, In recent months, Asia Pacific airlines have been facing a rapid decline in both passenger and cargo demand as a result of the global economic slowdown. AAPA member airlines carried 119 million international passengers in the first ten months of 2008, in line with last year, but passenger numbers are now falling.

AAPA international air cargo traffic has already fallen sharply, registering a 2.9% decline in FTK terms for the first ten months of the year.?Looking ahead, Mr. Herdman noted that, ?irlines around the world are facing extremely difficult market conditions, with expectations of even tougher times ahead in 2009. Asia Pacific airlines are moving quickly to adjust capacity in line with expected demand, and redoubling efforts to reduce costs throughout the business.

In these difficult times, more so than ever, we strongly urge governments, airports and other aviation service providers to refrain from imposing further unjustified taxes and charges on the aviation industry.<Korea Shipping Gazette>