AAPA: Asian airlines recovering with March cargo up 33.1pc

STATISTICS from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) are pointing to signs of a sustained cargo demand recovery in March, recording a 33.1 per cent annual increase in freight-tonne kilometres.

Freight capacity however, which rose 12.6 per cent over last year, lagged the throughput gains, resulting in an increased international load factor of 73.1 per cent, up 11.3 points over March, 2009.

Passenger capacity also trailed demand with a mere two per cent rise over last year, pushing the international load factor to a new high of 80.1 per cent, TBM reported.

Commenting on the results, AAPA director general Andrew Herdman said that improved asset utilisation would help steer airlines back to profitability following the heavy losses sustained through the downturn.

When asked about the impact of the volcanic ash cloud in Europe Mr Herdman noted that the resulting disruptions had cost Asian Pacific carriers up to US$250 million in lost revenue, and had seriously inconvenienced cargo shippers. The incident, he added, served as a glaring example of poor airspace management.

(Source: www.schednet.com)