Asia Pacific airlines recorded solid growth in international passenger and cargo traffic in November 2025, supported by strong travel demand and resilient air freight activity, according to AAPA.
Asia Pacific airlines continued to record strong growth in international passenger and cargo markets in November 2025, according to preliminary traffic figures released by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).
The data show that travel demand remained robust within the region and across key long-haul routes. At the same time, inventory restocking and increased e-commerce activity ahead of the year-end festive season supported further expansion in air cargo demand.
Overall, the number of international passengers carried by Asia Pacific airlines increased by 8.3% year-on-year in November, reaching a combined total of 32.9 million passengers. Measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), international passenger demand rose by 9.0% compared with the same month in 2024.
Available seat capacity expanded by 8.0% year-on-year, resulting in demand growth outpacing capacity additions. As a result, the average international passenger load factor increased by 0.8 percentage points to 83.2% for the month.
On the cargo side, Asia Pacific carriers recorded a 6.2% year-on-year increase in international air cargo demand in November, as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK). The growth reflected increased export activity from Asian economies, particularly in South-East Asia and India.
International air cargo capacity rose by 7.2% year-on-year, leading to a marginal decline of 0.6 percentage points in the average international freight load factor, which stood at 61.9% for the month.
Commenting on the results, Mr. Subhas Menon, Director General of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, said: “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.”
He added: “Meanwhile, 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, as supply chains increasingly shifted towards other economies in Asia.”
Looking ahead, Mr. Menon stated: “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.”