Asian airlines suffer 'decline in passengers, cargo'
Sunday, 26 July 2009
KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (AFP): Asia Pacific airlines suffered a steep decline in passengers and cargo traffic in the first half of 2009, an industry group said Friday, warning the outlook remains challenging.
The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) said international passenger numbers fell 11.50 per cent in the first six months to June, while air cargo volumes slumped 22.30 per cent, compared with a year ago.
"The trading environment for Asia Pacific airlines remains extremely challenging," AAPA director general Andrew Herdman said in a statement, attributing it to the global economic slowdown and the swine flu outbreak.
Herdman said the air cargo sector however showed signs of recovery.
"There has been a slow but steady recovery in air cargo demand from the lows seen at the end of 2008, and we are hopeful that this trend will continue in the second half of the year," he said.
The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) said international passenger numbers fell 11.50 per cent in the first six months to June, while air cargo volumes slumped 22.30 per cent, compared with a year ago.
"The trading environment for Asia Pacific airlines remains extremely challenging," AAPA director general Andrew Herdman said in a statement, attributing it to the global economic slowdown and the swine flu outbreak.
Herdman said the air cargo sector however showed signs of recovery.
"There has been a slow but steady recovery in air cargo demand from the lows seen at the end of 2008, and we are hopeful that this trend will continue in the second half of the year," he said.