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AAPA: Asia-Pacific carriers continue to shape the industry
October 19th 2018
At this week’s 62nd Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) Assembly of Presidents in Jeju, hosted by Korean Air, AAPA director general, Andrew Herdman, emphasized that Asia-Pacific carriers continued to spearhead the development of the global aviation industry “by investing in next generation aircraft with the very latest cabin innovations across all classes, as well as other customer service initiatives”. Read More »
Herdman said the region's airlines achieved 8% growth in the number of international passengers carried during the first eight months of the year. During the same period, international air cargo demand increased by 4.8%, although growth rates have moderated following the surge in 2017, with some concern over rising tensions between major trading nations.
Rising fuel costs and currency fluctuations are also putting margins under pressure, the AAPA chief cautioned. Nevertheless, Herdman said Asia-Pacific carriers were expected to deliver substantial profits for the fourth year in succession.
As in previous years, AAPA warned of infrastructure deficiencies across the region. “There’s a clear need for investments in new air transport infrastructure in the form of additional runways, terminals and air traffic management capacity commensurate with traffic growth and the expected deliveries of new aircraft to the region over the next ten years,” Herdman said. Other keynote concerns were training needs, cyber security, taxes and charges, as well as environmental sustainability.
"Air transport is widely recognised as a key contributor to economic and social development, built around strong global networks offering both passenger and air cargo services. We are delighted to be meeting here in Korea, the world's eleventh largest economy, as well as a popular tourist destination. The dynamic airline sector epitomises the way in which region's carriers are at the forefront of global air transport industry development," said Herdman. "Working together as a community, AAPA is determined to tackle the numerous challenges that face the industry,” he concluded.
