• Asia-Pacific airlines : 16.7 million international passengers in 2021

    Asia-Pacific airlines : 16.7 million international passengers in 2021

    Travel Biz News —

    Preliminary traffic results for the year 2021 released by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) showed continued decimation in international air passenger demand for the region’s airlines, as tight border restrictions implemented in response to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic dashed hopes of recovery in air travel markets.

    Overall, the 16.7 million international passengers carried in the year 2021 represented just 4.4% of the volumes recorded in pre-pandemic 2019, whilst offered seat capacity averaged 13.8% of the levels registered in 2019.

    For the full year, the international passenger load factor was a paltry 32%, underscoring the ongoing challenging conditions faced by the region’s airlines in the passenger sector.

    On the other hand, international air cargo markets saw encouraging growth over the course of the year. With major manufacturing hubs located in the region, Asia Pacific airlines benefitted from buoyant export demand for consumer and intermediate goods.

    Commenting on the results, Mr. Subhas Menon, AAPA Director General said, “For a second year running international passenger travel remained severely suppressed, as a result of strict border measures imposed throughout the region and elsewhere. It is the worst crisis the region’s airlines have ever faced in terms of duration and depth.”

    Photo:AAPA

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