February 02, 2026
Asia Pacific Airlines recorded solid passenger and cargo traffic growth in 2025
Preliminary traffic figures for the full calendar year 2025 released by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) showed robust growth in both international air passenger and cargo markets, underpinned by resilient economic conditions and healthy travel demand, even as trade and geopolitical uncertainties remained elevated.
For the year, the region's airlines carried a combined total of 390.5 million international passengers, representing a solid 9.4% increase compared to 2024. Demand, as measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), rose by 11.0%, reflecting relative strength on long- haul routes, while intra-regional traffic remained buoyant, supported by regional economic growth.
Against a challenging operating environment with the introduction of tariffs on Asian and major global economies, air cargo markets benefited from the rapid adaptation of global supply chains. As a result, Asia Pacific airlines recorded a 5.6% increase in international air cargo demand, as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), in 2025.
Continued expansion in belly-hold space contributed to a 6.8% increase in offered freight capacity, leading to a 0.7 percentage point decline in the average international freight load factor to 60.3% for the year.
Source: AAPA