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International air cargo demand for Asia Pacific airlines remained firm in June 2026, growing 3.2% year-on-year, based on preliminary data released by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines
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International freight load factor reached 62.6%, up 1.8 percentage points
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International air cargo demand up 7.0% year-on-year, driven by AI-related semiconductor and hardware shipments
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Passenger traffic retreated 1.1% amid higher airfares and regional capacity reductions
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International passengers declined 1.1% to 30.5 million, but demand in revenue passenger kilometres rose 1.1% year-on-year
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International passenger load factor reached 82.6%, up 0.7 percentage points
International air cargo demand for Asia Pacific (APAC) airlines remained firm in June 2026, growing 3.2% year-on-year, while passenger traffic retreated 1.1% amid higher airfares and regional capacity reductions, according to preliminary data released by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).
APAC airlines carried 30.5 million international passengers in June, down from 30.8 million in the same month last year. However, demand in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK) rose by 1.1% year-on-year, reflecting resilience in longer-haul travel.
Growth in demand outpaced a marginal 0.3% expansion in available seat capacity, resulting in a 0.7-percentage-point increase in the average international passenger load factor to 82.6% for the month.
International air cargo demand remained robust in June, supported by strong shipments of AI-related semiconductors and hardware.
Demand, as measured in freight tonne kilometres, increased by 3.2% year-on-year, while offered freight capacity edged 0.2% higher, resulting in a 1.8 percentage point increase in the average international freight load factor to 62.6%.
In the first half of 2026, Asia Pacific airlines carried 192.5 million international passengers, a 3.2% increase from last year, and international air cargo demand grew 7.0%, driven by AI-related semiconductors and high-value goods amid changing trade dynamics.
“Passenger traffic moderated in June as higher airfares and capacity adjustments in some regional markets weighed on demand. Even so, international travel has continued to hold up well, with Asia Pacific airlines carrying 192.5 million international passengers during the first half of 2026, 3.2% more than in the corresponding period last year,” said Wong Hong, director general of AAPA.
“Meanwhile, international air cargo markets continued to perform well, with demand growing by 7.0% in the first half of the year, supported by continued demand for AI-related semiconductor shipments and other high-value, time-sensitive goods amid evolving trade dynamics,” Wong Hong said.
READ: Asia Pacific airlines’ April cargo, passenger demand up despite economic headwinds
He noted that airlines continue to face headwinds from persistent uncertainty surrounding the Middle East conflict, which has contributed to fuel price volatility and continued pressure on operating costs. These challenges, combined with more moderate business confidence and heightened geopolitical and trade policy uncertainty, may temper growth in travel and air cargo markets in the coming months, Wong Hong highlighted.
“Against this backdrop, carriers remain focused on maintaining network flexibility, exercising capacity discipline, and enhancing operational efficiency in response to evolving demand patterns,” Wong Hong said.
