The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) released preliminary data for March which showed a 4.2% increase in international passengers carried to 25.5 million.
Average load factor for cross border flights was up slightly to 78.6%, taking into account a 5.2% increase in seat capacity.
AAPA says there is encouraging growth in long haul travel markets.
"During the first quarter of the year, Asian carriers reported a 4.8% increase in the number of international passengers carried to an aggregate total of 76 million. Growth in passenger traffic volumes remained relatively encouraging, supported by the widespread availability of affordable airfares," AAPA director general Andrew Herdman said.
Herdman says the general outlook is still favourable but airlines need to continue finding cost efficiencies due to rising oil prices.
