Asia Pacific Airlines Carry 30.4 Mln International Passengers In September, Up 0.7 Pct -- AAPA

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- Asia Pacific airlines carried a total of 30.4 million international passengers in September 2026, a marginal 0.7 per cent increase compared with the same month last year, according to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).

AAPA said the preliminary September 2026 traffic figures showed that international passenger numbers edged up from a year earlier, following five consecutive months of year-on-year (y-o-y) declines.

"Growth in passenger demand, as measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), accelerated to 5.9 per cent, while available seat capacity expanded by 6.8 per cent, resulting in a 0.6 percentage point decline in the average international passenger load factor to 80.2 per cent," it said in a statement.

Meanwhile, international air cargo demand, measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), rose 6.4 per cent y-o-y, outpacing the 4.9 per cent expansion in available freight capacity, lifting the average international freight load factor by 0.8 percentage points to 60.3 per cent in September.

The growth was supported by stronger global manufacturing activity, increased purchases of raw materials and components, as well as sustained demand for artificial intelligence (AI)-related goods.

AAPA's director general Wong Hong said passenger numbers had increased slightly, supported by stronger growth in longer-haul travel, while air cargo demand gained momentum.

"Overall, during the first nine months of the year, Asia Pacific airlines carried 289.5 million international passengers, 1.9 per cent more than in the same period last year. International air cargo demand rose by 5.6 per cent over the same period," he said.

He added that the latest results highlighted the resilience of demand amid a difficult operating environment, with passenger markets continuing to adjust to changes in capacity and travel patterns, while stronger manufacturing activity and demand for AI-related goods supported cargo flows.

However, he said that elevated jet fuel prices, airspace restrictions and weaker Asian currencies continued to put pressure on operating costs and profitability.

Looking ahead, Wong said year-end holiday travel should lend support to passenger demand, while continued investment in AI infrastructure and associated trade flows bode well for air cargo markets.

-- BERNAMA