KUALA LUMPUR, 1 March 2024: Asia Pacific Airlines enjoyed a solid start to 2024 with positive passenger traffic trends during January, according to preliminary traffic figures released Thursday by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) 

Overall, the region’s airlines carried 27.0 million international passengers in January, a 49.4% increase from the previous period in 2023. 

Traffic recovered to reach 82% of 2019 pre-Covid levels. As measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), demand rose by 48.3% year-on-year, reflecting robust regional travel demand. Available seat capacity expanded by 51.3% year-on-year, while the international passenger load factor fell by 1.6 percentage points to an average of 79.9% for the month.

Meanwhile, January saw a continuation of growth in air cargo markets, propelled by demand related to the festive Lunar New Year season. International air cargo demand, as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), recorded a strong 22.5% year-on-year increase for the month, extending the rebound seen in the last quarter of 2023. Nevertheless, growth in offered freight capacity continued to outpace demand, driven by the ongoing recovery in belly-hold capacities of international passenger operations. For the month, offered freight capacity rose 25.8% year-on-year, leading to a 1.6 percentage point decline in the average international freight load factor to 57.5%.

Commenting on the results, AAPA director general Subhas Menon said: “The year started positively for Asia Pacific airlines, as both international air passenger and cargo markets saw robust growth, supported by the Lunar New Year festive period timing. A rise in leisure travellers boosted travel demand, while cargo markets benefitted from heightened demand for air shipments ahead of the festive period.”

Looking ahead, he noted: “The upcoming year looks broadly positive for Asian carriers, given the renewed optimism on the global economic outlook. However, as capacity restoration progresses, airlines face intensifying competition. In addition, the cost environment remains challenging, as inflationary pressures remain amid ongoing supply chain issues. Nevertheless, airlines remain proactive in seeking new growth opportunities while maintaining the highest safety and customer service standards.”

LANGKAWI, 1 March 2024: Tourism Malaysia hosted Routes Asia 2024’s Networking Evening at Resorts World Langkawi, pledging to support airlines with matching grants to establish more direct flights to Malaysia.  

As a milestone for the country’s MICE segment, Routes Asia 2024 sets a precedent as Malaysia prepares to host next year’s ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2025, followed by Visit Malaysia Year in 2026.  

These important events will lead to a surge in tourist arrivals over the next three years. Tourism Malaysia has introduced matching grants awarded to airlines that are prepared to invest and introduce new direct and charter routes to attract more flights between important source market countries and Malaysia. 

“Tourism Malaysia is eager to collaborate with international airlines and tourism agencies to enhance air accessibility, frequency, and seat capacity to Malaysia via the International and Charter Flight Matching Grant (GSPC). We truly look forward to having more carriers designate Malaysia as their preferred destination,” said Tourism Malaysia director-general Manoharan Periasamy

As the host country of the 20th edition of Routes Asia, Langkawi Island in northern Malaysia welcomed close to 1,000 airline and airport industry executives from 60 countries for the three-day event that concluded on 29 February. Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) and Tourism Malaysia co-hosted the three-day event in collaboration with the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA).

Malaysia recorded  20.1 million international tourist arrivals and MYR71.3 billion in tourist receipts in 2023. This year, Malaysia aims to woo 27.3 million arrivals with MYR102.7 billion in tourism revenue.

(Source: Tourism Malaysia).