SEPTEMBER 2021 traffic figures from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (PA) show weakness in international air passenger demand, whereas international air cargo markets continue to strengthen on the back of demand growth, reports Singapore's Asian Aviation.
For the month, the region's airlines carried 1.2 million international passengers, 4.1 per cent of the 30 million recorded in 2019.
The international passenger load factor averaged 33 per cent, while available seat capacity was 13.9 per cent of pre-Covid crisis levels.
Asia Pacific airlines saw a 23.3 per cent year-on-year growth in international air cargo demand as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK) in September.
Offered freight capacity recorded a 14.8 per cent year-on-year increase, driving the average international freight load factor to 76.1 per cent for the month.
'The severe weakness in international passenger numbers seen since the onset of the pandemic reflect the border restrictions enforced by governments across the region,' said PA director general Subhas Menon.
'Nevertheless, as vaccination rates increase, more governments are moving away from zero-Covid approaches towards a risk-managed approach in favor of relaxation of border restrictions for vaccinated travellers. This is a welcome step towards the recovery of air travel. The encouraging increase in ticket bookings in markets where barriers to travel have been lowered also reflect strong travel confidence,' said Mr Menon.
'However, for air passenger recovery to gain more substantial momentum, inconsistent health and border measures need to be replaced with harmonised or mutually-recognised protocols that will remove much complexity and confusion for the travelling public,' said Mr Menon.
'We urge more governments to collaborate across borders in adopting an objective risk-based approach in line with WHO and ICAO guidelines to restore global air travel mobility.' said Mr Menon.
SeaNews Turkey
For the month, the region's airlines carried 1.2 million international passengers, 4.1 per cent of the 30 million recorded in 2019.
The international passenger load factor averaged 33 per cent, while available seat capacity was 13.9 per cent of pre-Covid crisis levels.
Asia Pacific airlines saw a 23.3 per cent year-on-year growth in international air cargo demand as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK) in September.
Offered freight capacity recorded a 14.8 per cent year-on-year increase, driving the average international freight load factor to 76.1 per cent for the month.
'The severe weakness in international passenger numbers seen since the onset of the pandemic reflect the border restrictions enforced by governments across the region,' said PA director general Subhas Menon.
'Nevertheless, as vaccination rates increase, more governments are moving away from zero-Covid approaches towards a risk-managed approach in favor of relaxation of border restrictions for vaccinated travellers. This is a welcome step towards the recovery of air travel. The encouraging increase in ticket bookings in markets where barriers to travel have been lowered also reflect strong travel confidence,' said Mr Menon.
'However, for air passenger recovery to gain more substantial momentum, inconsistent health and border measures need to be replaced with harmonised or mutually-recognised protocols that will remove much complexity and confusion for the travelling public,' said Mr Menon.
'We urge more governments to collaborate across borders in adopting an objective risk-based approach in line with WHO and ICAO guidelines to restore global air travel mobility.' said Mr Menon.
SeaNews Turkey
