The August results, released on 28 September, extend a run of weaker passenger numbers that began in May.
AAPA reported the first monthly fall in international passengers this year in May, followed by a 1.1% year-on-year drop to 30.5 million passengers in June and a further 1.3% decline in July.
The slowdown has been driven largely by higher fares. Elevated jet fuel prices linked to the Middle East conflict have pushed carriers to add surcharges and trim short-haul capacity, with intra-Asia markets hit hardest.
That matters for the region's low-cost carriers, which are heavily exposed to short-haul flying. AAPA's dataset covers 36 carriers, including AirAsia, IndiGo, Cebu Pacific, Jeju Air and Spring Airlines.
Cargo has been the brighter spot, with volumes rising year on year through the summer as shippers moved electronics and AI-related equipment by air.
Commenting on the results, Mr. Wong Hong, Director General of AAPA, said: “Despite the year-to-date growth in traffic, the operating environment remains challenging. Elevated jet fuel prices, airspace restrictions and weaker Asian currencies are raising costs, while higher fares weigh on price-sensitive travellers. These factors continue to affect profitability, with outcomes varying across individual airlines.”
Looking ahead, Mr. Wong said, “Regional economic growth and trade activity should continue to support demand for air travel and cargo, although growth is likely to remain uneven across markets. Geopolitical developments and changes in trade policies add some uncertainty to the outlook for the remainder of the year.”
