Asia-Pacific airlines posted continued cargo growth in September, though at a slower pace, as rising intra-Asia demand, export front-loading, regional supply-chain shifts, and steady domestic consumption helped sustain momentum.

Traffic figures released by the Kuala Lumpur-based Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) showed that international air cargo demand — measured in freight tonne-kilometers (FTK) — was up 5% compared with the same month last year.

September's 6.4 million metric tonnes was however less than the 6.5 million metric tonnes transported in August and July's 6.8 million tonnes. It was also lower than the 6.6 million tonnes carried in June and 6.42 million tonnes in May. In April, Asia Pacific airlines carried 6.24 million tonnes of cargo.

“Air cargo markets remained strong, supported by shifts in Asian cargo flows following the implementation of U.S. tariffs,” AAPA said. “International air cargo demand, measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), grew by 5.0% compared with the same month last year.”

 [Source: Asia Pacific Airlines]

For September, offered freight capacity increased by 4.4% year-on-year, leading to a marginal 0.3 percentage point increase in the average international freight load factor to 60.8%.

For both cargo and passenger demand, AAPA noted resilient regional economic conditions, underpinned by Asia Pacific GDP growth — projected at 4.5%1 for the year — provided firm support to overall traffic demand.

Looking ahead, Subhas Menon, director general at AAPA said “despite heightened trade tensions and the implementation of US tariffs, Asian economies have remained resilient, aided by the front-loading of exports, ongoing regional supply-chain realignments and firm domestic demand.”

“Against this backdrop, Asia Pacific carriers posted … a 7% year-on-year growth in international air cargo demand.”

“The outlook for both international air passenger and air cargo markets remains positive. Asia Pacific carriers are well-placed to respond to demand growth, while navigating multiple challenges including supply chain constraints as well as rising operational costs.”