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Asia Pacific airlines’ air cargo and passenger demand shows continued growth in May, according to latest figures released by Association of Asia Pacific Airlines
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May 2025 traffic figures released this week by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines showed continued growth in both international air cargo and passenger demand
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Air cargo markets posted gains, although the pace of growth moderated due to weaker export activity from key manufacturing economies
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Measured in freight ton kilometers, international air cargo demand grew by 3.0% year-on-year
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Weaker export volumes on the US – China route were offset by increased shipments to other markets
Asia Pacific airlines’ air cargo and passenger demand shows continued growth in May, according to the latest figures released by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).
The air cargo markets’ pace of growth has, however, moderated due to weaker export activity from key manufacturing economies.
Subhas Menon, AAPA director general, in a statement said, “In the air cargo markets, international freight demand registered 4.5% growth, supported by front-loading of shipments and rerouting of goods to other gateways amidst mounting economic headwinds.”
Measured in freight ton kilometers, international air cargo demand grew by 3.0% year-on-year in May. Weaker export volumes on the US-China route, partly due to the removal of tax-free exemptions for low-value goods, were offset by increased shipments to other markets.
Offered freight capacity rose by 1.3% year-on-year, resulting in a 1.0 percentage point increase in the average international freight load factor to 62.8% for the month.
Air cargo markets are expected to come under pressure from weakening export orders, although shifts in trade routes could help mitigate some of the impact, said Menon.
“Overall, the region’s carriers are well-placed to adapt to evolving market conditions, supported by strong regional economies that are expanding in tandem with their aviation markets,” he said.
Menon also said: “Air travel demand in the Asia Pacific region continued to see sustained growth, on the back of strong leisure and business traffic. Overall, during the first five months of the year, Asia Pacific airlines carried a total of 158 million international passengers, a 12% increase over the same period the previous year.”
In revenue passenger kilometers terms, demand rose by 11.3%, surpassing the 9.5% expansion in available seat capacity. Consequently, the average international passenger load factor increased by 1.3 percentage points to 80.7%.
Looking ahead, he said, “Continued improvements in air connectivity are expected to support growth in travel demand. Nevertheless, Asia Pacific carriers face an increasingly challenging operating environment, shaped by rising trade and geopolitical tensions, persistent supply chain constraints, and more frequent overflight diversions due to airspace closures in conflict zones.”
In addition, fuel prices may remain volatile if the Middle East conflict prolongs, Menon added.
The region’s carriers registered a 10.4% year-on-year increase in the number of international passengers carried, reaching a combined total of 31.2 million for the month.
READ: Asia Pacific airlines’ April cargo, passenger demand up despite economic headwinds
