Asia-Pacific: Cargo Volumes Rise, But Load Factors Dip

According to preliminary figures released by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), regional demand climbed last month amid a pickup in  manufacturing activity and continued front-loading of shipments.

International air cargo demand, measured in freight tonne-kilometers (FTKs), grew by 5.6% year-on-year in June.

This recovery was driven by an uptick in global manufacturing, particularly for consumer and intermediate goods. Traffic was also bolstered by businesses front-loading and re-routing shipments to get ahead of potential U.S. tariffs and other global trade uncertainties.

However, the load factor fell as offered freight capacity expanded by 7.1%, resulting in a 0.8 percentage point decline to an average of 62.1% for the  month. AAPA Director General, Subhas Menon, described demand as "relatively resilient." He added, "Cargo volumes are also growing as demand for air freight services, particularly in the e-commerce and time-sensitive segments, is still very strong."

Meanwhile, the passenger business surged in June, with 31.2 million international passengers carried, a 7.1% increase compared to the same month last year. For the first half of 2025, the passenger segment grew by 12%, totaling 190.5 million international passengers.

Looking ahead, however, Menon cautioned that declining business confidence reflects growing concerns about the global economic outlook, with implications for both air cargo and travel markets in the near future. "Asia Pacific carriers are alert to the cost pressures, while adapting to market conditions and seeking growth opportunities, both regionally and globally," he said.

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Source: Phaata.com (According to Air Cargo News)

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