Preliminary traffic figures released by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) showed that international air passenger demand plunged in February 2020, with deepening public anxiety about the COVID-19 pandemic and the abrupt imposition of travel restrictions across the world causing widespread disruptions to airline operations.
In aggregate, the region’s airlines experienced a 43.9 per cent year-on-year fall in the number of international passengers carried to a combined 17.0 million in February. As measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), demand fell by 34.8 per cent, alongside a 20.6 per cent drop in available seat capacity. As a result, the average international passenger load factor tumbled by 14.4 percentage points to 66.6 per cent for the month.
Meanwhile, air cargo demand held up remarkably well, despite the effects of extended factory closures and lockdowns in China crippling the supply and distribution of manufactured goods nationwide and related international trade flows. These declines were partly offset by higher demand for air shipments of intermediate goods, including pharmaceutical and food supplies, within the region.
Overall, Asia Pacific airlines registered a 3.0 per cent year-on-year decline in international air cargo demand in freight tonne kilometres (FTK) terms in February. Comparatively, offered freight capacity fell by a sharp 13.5 per cent, with belly-hold capacity declining in tandem with the progressive cuts in the number of passenger flights over the course of the month. As a result, the average international freight load factor increased by 6.5 percentage points to 60.3 per cent for the month.
Commenting on the results, Andrew Herdman, AAPA Director General said, “Asian airlines saw passenger demand for international air travel demand plunge in February as a result of the rapid spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Overall, for the first two months of the year, the number of international passengers travelling on Asian airlines fell by 21 per cent to 50 million passengers.”
“During the same period, international air cargo demand fell by a relatively modest 5 per cent, under challenging business conditions resulting from disruptions to production and logistics supply from large exporting markets in the region.”
Andrew added, “Since February, we have seen a further sharp deterioration in the overall situation. As COVID-19 became a global pandemic, severe travel restrictions and falling demand have forced steep capacity cuts across the majority of airline route networks, with some airlines virtually halting all international flights, whilst others are planning to maintain minimal levels of connectivity by operating a small number of passenger services in the coming months. Asian airlines are also working closely with governments and related stakeholders to mount a number of humanitarian and evacuation flights to bring home stranded nationals.”
Andrew added, “Meanwhile, demand for air cargo remains relatively unaffected, and every effort is being made to ensure that shipments of critical relief supplies including medical equipment, and food products can continue to be transported safely and efficiently around the world. Asian airlines account for over one third of global air cargo flows, and operate large numbers of dedicated freighter aircraft. The sharp fall in passenger services has removed significant belly-cargo capacity from the market place. A number of airlines are now operating supplementary cargo services using passenger aircraft to meet the demand.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges, both operational and financial, to the airline industry and the wider travel and tourism sector worldwide. Whilst some governments have moved quickly to provide measures of financial support, much more needs to be done to reduce the risks of permanent damage to critical sectors of the economy.”
The Philippine Armed Forces (PAF) took delivery of the first India-made BrahMos land-based anti-ship missile system at Clark Air Base…
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) ordered six Airbus H145 helicopters as part of its efforts to update its rotary…
The Brazilian aerospace company, Embraer, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AICAT (Austrian Industrial Cooperation & Aviation Technology) to…
Qatar’s Hamad International Airport (DOH) announced that it has reclaimed the title of the "World’s Best Airport" at the prestigious…
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) joined the Sharp Technics K (STK) and Incheon International Airport Corporation for a ceremony heralding the…
Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions division has forged a strategic alliance and reseller agreement with Rancher Government Solutions (RGS), a provider of…
Saudia, the national airline of Saudi Arabia, has experienced a significant surge in brand value, as indicated by the latest…
The ongoing eruption of Mount Ruang in the Siau Islands regency, North Sulawesi, Indonesia has caused significant disruptions to air…
Scoot, the low-cost arm of Singapore Airlines, recently received the first Embraer E190-E2 aircraft at Changi Airport. "We are excited…
The first of two Fincantieri-built PPA (Pattugliatore Polivalente d'Altura - offshore multi-purpose patrol vessel) for the Indonesian Navy is expected…
Thailand’s DTI (Defence Technology Institute) and the Royal Thai Army recently conducted a successful test of the DTI-STD-003 bridge layer…
Eve Air Mobility has signed a letter of intent with AirX, Japan’s largest public helicopter air charter service, for up…
L3Harris Technologies has received a US$256 million order from the U.S. Army for continued production of the Enhanced Night Vision…
The Missile Defense Agency has selected Lockheed Martin to deliver the nation's new homeland missile defense capability, the Next Generation…
Collins Aerospace will introduce two major upgrades to the Ascentia software platform. Ascentia is a software solution for aircraft reliability management that…
Pratt & Whitney Canada's PT6A engine recently surpassed 25 million flight hours and 40 years of powering the Cessna Caravan…
The US Army deployed its Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system to Northern Luzon, Philippines for the first time. This deployment…
Milrem Robotics has secured a contract to deliver an undisclosed quantity of THeMIS UGVs (Unmanned Ground Vehicles) to the Japanese…
CMA CGM Air Cargo is set to expand its service by launching a transpacific route connecting Asia to North America…
Eve Air Mobility (Eve) has designated Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI) as the supplier for the pylons of its electric…
Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo arm of one of the two flag carriers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has established…
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has secured a contract to supply a Multi-Sensor Multi-Mission Radar (MS-MMR) system for the air defence…
The first Embraer E190F, a jet converted from passenger transport to freighter (E-Freighter), successfully concluded its inaugural flight in São…
The Government of Greece officially announced its plans to purchase 35 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters from Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin…
Cathay Cargo resumed its Ho Chi Minh City freighter service on April 4, 2024, after a four-year hiatus due to…
Skykraft has secured approval from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for its spectrum filing for a constellation of 2976 satellites.…
The U.S. Navy, in partnership with Lockheed Martin, has successfully conducted a historic Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) flight test with…
The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a contract worth up to $559 million over five years to operate, maintain…
Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) introduced the ARBEL, hailed as the world’s first computerized small arms system, on Thursday (Apr. 4).…
Hong Kong’s Government Flying Service (GFS) has integrated the H175 helicopter flight simulator developed by Indra into their training regimen.…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2024 GBP all rights reserved.