Page 6 - AAA JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012 Online Magazine

Headline News

Asian carriers see tsunami in Japan,growth in Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA),
the Airports Council Interna-
international passenger traf-
steady growth in 2011 fic for Asian airlines held tional (ACI) and the Interna-
up relatively well in 2011. tional Air Transport Associa-
By contrast, the year saw air tion (IATA).
cargo demand weaken sig- Y.B. Dato’ Seri Kong Cho
nificantly compared to the Ha, Minister of Transport of
restocking surge experienced Malaysia, said the Confer-
in 2010, reflecting cautious ence represented “a commit-
management of supply chain ment to strengthening avia-
inventories in the expectation tion security and protecting
of relatively weaker growth civil aviation in the Asia-
prospects for the major devel- Pacific region”. He identified
oped economies.” greater openness of secu-
Looking ahead, Herd- rity audit results, sharing of
man concluded,“Uncertainty data, increased collaboration
over prospects for the global among States, and effective
economy in 2012 has some- partnering of regulators and
what overshadowed the industry, as critical elements
immediate outlook, and air- to achieve more effective avi-
lines worldwide are bracing ation security.
themselves for another chal- International Civil Avia-
lenging year ahead. Overall, tion Organization Secretary
however, Asian airlines still General, Raymond Benjamin,
remain optimistic about lon- praised State representatives
ger term growth prospects, as “for agreeing on specific ac-
evidenced by ambitious fleet tions that reflect the particular
Andrew Herdman, plans, ongoing service en- security needs of the region
Director general, AAPA
hancements, and the launch while further contributing to
of innovative new business a worldwide solution to the
Asian carriers managed to 2011, 3.5% more than the pre- ventures.” problem of terrorism aimed
grow international traffic by vious year, with the region’s • Fourteen Asia-Pacific States at international aviation”.
3.7% in terms of revenue pas- sustained economic growth meeting in Kuala Lumpur To further improve na-
senger kilometres last year, supporting both business earlier this year at the ICAO tional, regional and global
despite the Japanese tsunami and leisure travel demand. regional security conference aviation security, participants
crisis. Capacity was up by a Asia Pacific international agreed to adopt a “compre- agreed on collective action
more robust 6.3%, however, air cargo demand, expressed hensive strategy” to system- to address threats to the air
hitting load factors. in freight tonne kilometre atically improve passenger transport system. This in-
Load factors were down 2.0 (FTK) terms, fell by 4.8% in and cargo security through- cludes:
percentage points to 76.4% as 2011, a reflection of weaken- out the region. • Assistance to States in
a result, according to prelimi- ing world trade conditions. In Australia, Bangladesh, capacity building and
nary figures from the Asia- spite of the decline in freight Cambodia, China, Indonesia, strengthening of national
Pacific Airlines Association demand, offered freight ca- Japan, the Lao People’s Demo- security systems;
(AAPA). The latter comment- pacity matched that of the cratic Republic, Malaysia, Ne- • Closer cooperation with
ed that the figures “showed previous year, leading to a pal, Pakistan, the Republic of Customs, border control au-
steady growth in interna- 3.4 percentage point decline Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka thorities and other bodies to
tional air passenger demand. in the average international and Thailand. Officials from strengthen the global supply
Conversely, international air freight load factor, to 66.6%. the United Kingdom and chain system for air cargo;
freight markets weakened, Commenting on the re- the United States also pro- and
following the strong rebound sults, Andrew Herdman, vided advice and discussed • Implementation of sus-
in the preceding year.” AAPA Director General said, partnership opportunities tainable security measures
Overall, Asia Pacific air- “Despite a series of natu- that could benefit aviation to ensure the highest degree
lines carried 190 million ral disasters including the security. Other participants of passenger and cargo fa-
international passengers in devastating earthquake and included the Association of cilitation.

6 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS January/February 2012 www.AsianAirlines-Airports.com