Preliminary traffic figures for the month of October released by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) showed continued growth in both international passenger numbers and air cargo demand.

International air freight demand, as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), grew by 6.4 per cent in October, on the back of buoyant demand for electronic goods from manufacturing hubs in North Asia. Combined with a more modest 3.8 per cent increase in offered freight capacity, the average international freight load factor climbed 1.5 percentage points to average 66.4 per cent for the month.

Commenting on the results, Andrew Herdman, AAPA director general said, “During the first ten months of the year, Asia Pacific airlines carried a combined total of 212.5 million international passengers, an increase of 4.8 per cent compared to the same period last year. Air freight markets grew by 5.1 per cent within the same period. Generally positive regional economic conditions and trade gains provided support for continued growth in both passenger and cargo market segments.”