Frontloading activities helped Asia Pacific airlines achieve a healthy year-on-year increase in air cargo demand last year, showed preliminary figures released by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).
Air cargo demand, measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), rose by 3.5%. This demand increase was “supported by front-loading activities ahead of tariff hikes, as airlines responded swiftly to evolving trade flows”, stated the AAPA.
Full-year global air cargo demand for 2025, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), increased 3.4% compared to 2024, according to IATA.
The AAPA said cargo revenue for Asia Pacific airlines increased by 1.4% year on year to $23.6bn, but weakness in freight rates resulted in a 2% fall in cargo yields to 32.1 US cents per FTK.
Carriers operating in the passenger and cargo markets alike faced ongoing supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures that contributed to higher expenditure on staff, leasing, maintenance and airport charges.
By contrast, fuel expenditure declined, reflecting a fall in global jet fuel prices.
Wong Hong, AAPA director general said, “Asia Pacific airlines entered 2025 from a position of strength, with robust passenger and cargo demand supporting another year of profitable growth.
“While easing fuel prices provided some relief, persistent supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures pushed non-fuel operating costs higher.”
Commenting on the current operating environment, Hong said airlines are contending with ongoing conflict in the Middle East, plus high operating costs, including volatile jet fuel prices
“Consequently, fuel expenditure, the largest single operating cost item for airlines, is expected to rise this year,” he added.
