Growth across Asia Pacific proved moderate in March but continued the positive trend seen in previous months, according to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).

Freight tonne kilometres (FTK) grew by 2.8 per cent to 6.3 billion while capacity in available freight tonne kilometres (AFTK) was up 5.6 per cent to 9.7 billion, pushing load factors down 1.8 percentage points to 65.5 per cent.

The association says air cargo demand on routes within the region, as well as traffic to and from the region remained encouraging, underpinned by demand for transportation of intermediate goods and consumer products including strong growth in e-commerce shipments.

AAPA director general, Andrew Herdman says: “Growth across advanced and emerging market economies was maintained in the first quarter of the year, driven by positive business and consumer sentiment.

“Correspondingly, world trade activity continued to expand, underpinned by increased investments and higher manufacturing output in the region, in response to increased new business orders. These positive factors continued to support growth in both air passenger and cargo demand for Asian airlines.”

In the first three months of the year, FTKs increased by 5.9 per cent and capacity AFTK was up 6.4 per cent, with load factors dipping 0.3 percentage points to 62.1 per cent.