The Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines (AAPA) released October 2021 passenger traffic numbers, revealing that international air travel demand remained “significantly depressed”.  

In October 2021, only 1.2 million international passengers traveled with Asia-Pacific carriers, a significant reduction compared to the 31 million passengers recorded in the same month of 2019. 

Weak international passenger traffic was largely attributed to stringent travel restrictions imposed by countries within the region.  

Subhas Menon, AAPA Director General, said: “Whilst October continued to be an extremely challenging month for international travel markets, solid orders for consumer goods and industrial components buoyed air cargo demand.” 

Menon added that in order to make air travel accessible to the wider public once again, governments need more “harmonisation of travel policies and health protocols”.  

“In order for air travel recovery to be sustained over the coming year, we urge more governments to collaborate across borders on travel measures and health related protocols,” Menon explained.