Asia Pacific airlines saw robust growth in both passenger and cargo traffic in November 2025, according to preliminary figures from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).
International passenger numbers rose 8.3% year-on-year to 32.9 million, with revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) up 9.0%, outpacing an 8.0% increase in seat capacity. The average load factor improved to 83.2%.
Air cargo demand also strengthened, climbing 6.2% year-on-year, driven by export activity and festive season e-commerce. Freight capacity grew 7.2%, resulting in a slight dip in load factor to 61.9%.
“Continued robust growth in both leisure and business travel propelled passenger demand higher in November, contributing to a solid 10% increase in the number of international passengers carried for the first eleven months of the year, to a total of 355 million,” said AAPA director general Subhas Menon.
He added, “Asian carriers benefitted from strong demand for the timely shipment of goods, consistent with past traffic trends for this time of the year. Overall, air cargo demand remained resilient over the year, rising by 5.6% year-on-year for the first eleven months of 2025.”
Looking ahead, Menon said, “The overall outlook is positive, with passenger demand expected to record further growth in 2026. Intensifying market competition is placing pressure on yields, while airlines continue to face cost pressures arising from persistent supply chain challenges. Although the decline in oil prices provides some relief, airlines remain vigilant in managing costs to maintain profitability.”