International airfreight demand in freight tonne kilometer (FTK) terms registered a solid 5.4 percent increase compared to the same month in 2012, following a pickup in global demand for Asian exports.
But the average international freight load factor continued to edge downward, registering a 0.5 percentage point fall to 67.2 percent in November, after a 6.1 percent expansion in offered freight capacity.
Asia Pacific carriers saw a 6.7 percent increase in international passenger numbers.
“Over the past 11 months, Asia Pacific airlines carried a total of 200 million international passengers, 6 percent more than in the same period last year, maintaining the pattern of steady growth seen over the past five years,” Andrew Herdman, AAPA director general, said. “Conversely, air cargo demand has remained relatively weak, with volumes 0.7 percent lower compared to the same period last year, but has picked up in recent months in line with steadily improving global economic conditions. Looking ahead, Asian carriers remain positive about prospects for further growth in demand for air travel in the coming year, and ongoing stabilization of air cargo demand, supported by the gradual improvement in global business and consumer sentiment.”