The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) has reported preliminary full-year figures showing a 7% increase in international passengers, to 356.6 million, vs. 6.4% the previous year. Revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) rose 6.9%, while available capacity (ASKs) was up 6%. Thus, international passenger load factor edged up 0.6 percentage points, to 80.6%.

International air cargo demand, as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTKs), showed 3.9% growth in 2018, sharply down from the 9.6% increase registered for the previous year. Offered capacity outgrew demand, leading to a 1.6 percentage point decline in average international freight load factor, to 63.3%.

AAPA director general Andrew Herdman commented: “Higher average airfares and record high load factors lifted passenger yields after several years of decline. However, cost pressures continued to increase, with higher fuel expenditure driven by a 30% increase in jet fuel prices, which averaged $85 per barrel for the year.”