Asia Pacific passenger traffic down nearly 99 percent
International passenger traffic across Asia Pacific plummeted a whopping 98.8% in April.
From 31.9 million international passenger trips in April 2019, just 368,000 took to the skies last month, according to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines.
Border closures and travel restrictions have impacted every nation in the region for months, leading to an almost total shutdown of international operations for AAPA member airlines.
The average international load factor slumped to a historic low of 28%, as available seat capacity plunged nearly 95%.
"The April traffic numbers underscore the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on global air travel markets and uncertainty remains as to how long the crisis will persist," said AAPA director general Subhas Menon.
Menon sees some signs for optimism.
"A number of airlines have begun restoring domestic flights, while a small number of international flights are still being operated, with plans to operate additional services as border restrictions are progressively relaxed."
Menon reckons Asia Pacific will likely be the first region to see a ‘degree of control over the spread’ of Covid-19 and help kickstart the global airline industry’s recovery.
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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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