Asia Pacific international passenger numbers for November 2023 increased by 76.9% compared to the same month in 2022, according to preliminary figures from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA). This amounted to 25.1 million passengers, 80.9% of the levels seen in the same period in 2019.
"During the first eleven months of 2023, Asia Pacific airlines carried a combined total of 250 million international passengers, reflecting pent-up demand in the post-pandemic recovery period, up by 178% on the corresponding period in the previous year," commented AAPA director general Subhas Menon.
Traffic in RPK grew by 66.9% year on year, outpacing a 61.3% expansion in available seat capacity to result in a 2.7% increase to 79.6% in the average international passenger load factor for November 2023.
International air cargo demand, measured in freight tonne kilometres, increased by 8.4% year on year in November.
Menon said: “Subdued economic conditions have resulted in a 4.2% overall decline in air cargo demand for the first eleven months of 2023, despite some growth in volumes since September.”
Menon added that the outlook for air travel demand remains positive and he expects 2024 to see a full a recovery to pre-pandemic levels.