Cathay Pacific carried 1,837,706 passengers in June 2024, an increase of +18.7% versus June 2023. Credit: Cathay Pacific.

Asia Pacific’s airlines handled 28.9 million international passengers in June – a 21% increase year-on-year, according to preliminary traffic results from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).

Total demand, as measured by revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), grew 23.8%, nearly matching the +24% lift in available seat capacity as the international load factor edged down 0.2 percentage points to average 82.2% for the month in question.

Commenting on the results, Subhas Menon, Director General of AAPA stated: “Asian airlines are seeing robust traffic growth, in tandem with expansion in global economic activity and improvements to connectivity within the region and globally. In summary, during the first half of the year, the region’s airlines carried a combined total of 173 million international passengers, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year.

“International air cargo demand grew by 16% during the same period, as a pick-up in export activity, coupled with disruptions to maritime shipping, drove an increase in air freight volumes carried across major trade lanes.”

The above will be viewed as a robust set of results for the region’s international air passenger markets, dovetailing with the peak summer holiday season.

Menon added: “International air passenger and cargo markets are poised for further growth in the latter half of the year, driven by sustained positive momentum in the global economy, despite some uncertainties in the geopolitical landscape.

Increased services to new and existing destinations will further boost travel demand, with traffic volumes expected to recover to pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year. Meanwhile, the region’s carriers remain focused on safe and sustainable operations, whilst maintaining cost efficiency.”

READ MORE: Asia Pacific international passenger demand rises 27% in May, reveals IATA