AAPA: a ‘dismal’ year for Asia Pacific airlines
International passenger traffic across Asia Pacific sank to an unprecedented level in 2020.
Preliminary full-year data from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines showed just 69 million passengers travelled internationally by Asia Pacific airlines.
It is a historic low and represents just 18% of 2019 numbers.
"The dismal numbers underline the severity of the impact of the pandemic on the airline industry," said AAPA Director General Subhas Menon.
Seat capacity was only 19% of levels in 2019 while passenger loadings were 61%.
"It will take time for the roll-out of vaccinations across the world, as well as for the pandemic to recede globally," Menon added.
"Restrictions on cross border travel will continue to affect air travel demand in 2021. We encourage governments to step up coordination efforts on cross border risk mitigation measures and health protocols."
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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