Asian airlines see demand soar in March

The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines said the region’s carriers saw demand rise 12.7 percent year-over-year in March.    The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) released preliminary figures showing the region’s air carriers in March registered a 12.7 percent year-over-year increase in international air cargo demand, as measured in freight metric ton kilometers.
   Offered freight capacity for the month expanded by 3 percent from March 2016, resulting in a 5.8 percentage point increase in the average international freight load factor, which reached 67.6 percent.
   For the first quarter of 2017, the region’s carriers recorded a 9.6 percent year-over-year increase in international air cargo demand. “Elevated consumer and business confidence levels in some developed and emerging market economies translated into increased orders, thus supporting demand for air freight shipments,” AAPA Director General Andrew Herdman said.
   “The outlook for air passenger and cargo markets remains positive, against the backdrop of a broad upturn in global economic conditions,” Herdman said. “However, the airline operating environment has become increasingly challenging, with oil prices off historic lows, and increasing cost pressures due to rising input costs. Asia Pacific carriers will continue to strive for cost efficiencies whilst launching new destinations and maintaining customer service innovation.”