Preliminary figures released by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) show demand rose in the region last month as manufacturing picked up and front loading continued.
International air cargo demand, as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), grew by 5.6% year on year in June.
The recovery came on the back of a rebound in global manufacturing activity, notably in consumer and intermediate goods. Traffic was also underpinned by front loading and rerouting of shipments ahead of possible US tariffs and other uncertainty over global trade.
However, load factors declined as offered freight capacity increased 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.”
Passenger business meanwhile surged in June, with 31.2 million international travellers carried, 7.1% up on the same month last year. For the first half of 2025, passenger business was up 12% to a total of 190.5 million international travellers.
Looking ahead, Menon warned however that reducing business confidence reflected growing concerns over the global economic outlook, with implications for both the air travel and cargo markets further ahead. He said: “Asia Pacific carriers are alert to the cost pressures, while adapting to market conditions and seeking growth opportunities, both regionally and globally.”
