International passenger traffic continued to grow in Asia Pacific during 2016 with the outlook for this year ‘broadly positive.’
According to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), the region’s airlines carried a combined 293 million international passengers, up by 6% year on year.
Average load factor was 78.7% for the year, which is up very slightly by a third of one percentage point.
"Notwithstanding some unexpected geopolitical developments and macro-economic uncertainty in 2016, air passenger traffic carried by Asian airlines continued to grow, climbing 6.0% higher compared to the preceding year," said AAPA director general Andrew Herdman.
There was strong demand on Asian regional travel and routes to and from North America but terrorism fears hit passenger demand for Europe.
"The outlook for air travel markets in 2017 remains broadly positive, although the earlier boost to demand from falling oil prices is now behind us, and growth rates may moderate. Market conditions remain highly competitive, and airlines are focused on active cost management, whilst continuing to invest in future growth opportunities," Herdman added.
