Asia Pacific Airlines soar in april 2025 amidst economic headwinds
- Paul Aage Hegvik
- Jun 2
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 2
The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) has reported strong growth across the region’s aviation sector in April 2025, driven by rising international travel and resilient cargo demand.
Leading this growth is India, now the fastest-growing aviation market in Asia, with IndiGo emerging as the region’s top-performing airline. AAPA reported robust growth in both international passenger and cargo markets for April 2025, highlighting the resilience of the region's aviation sector despite global economic uncertainties.
Passenger traffic surges
In April, Asia Pacific airlines collectively transported 31.3 million international passengers, marking a 10.5% increase compared to the same month in the previous year. Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK), a key indicator of passenger demand, rose by 12.6%, reflecting sustained strength in long-haul travel. With available seat capacity expanding by 11.7% year-on-year, the international passenger load factor improved by 0.7 percentage points to reach 82.4% for the month.
Subhas Menon, Director General of AAPA, noted that Asia Pacific airlines carried a total of 127 million international passengers in the first four months of 2025, representing a 12% increase compared to the same period last year. He attributed this growth to the sustained recovery in international tourist arrivals and continued expansion of route networks.
Air cargo maintains upward trend
Despite challenges in the global manufacturing sector and ongoing trade tensions, air cargo demand in April was bolstered by advance loading of shipments on selected routes and rerouting of goods to alternative gateways. International air cargo demand, measured in Freight Tonne Kilometres (FTK), grew by 4.9% year-on-year, slightly outpacing the 4.2% rise in offered freight capacity. Consequently, the international freight load factor edged 0.4 percentage points higher to 61.5% compared to the same month last year.
India leads in domestic market growth
Within the Asia Pacific region, India emerged as a standout performer in the domestic aviation market. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), India's domestic air traffic recorded a significant growth of over 10% in April 2025 compared to the same period last year. This surge underscores the country's rapidly expanding aviation sector, driven by increasing demand for air travel among its growing middle class. This is reported by The New Indian Express.
Boeing's market forecast aligns with this trend, projecting that Indian and South Asian airlines will add over 2,800 commercial aircraft to their fleets over the next 20 years, quadrupling the current number. This expansion is anticipated to meet the rising demand for air travel in the region.
One of the fastest-growing
As of April 2025, IndiGo, India's largest airline, stands out as one of the fastest-growing carriers in Asia. The airline achieved a 14.4% year-on-year increase in international passenger demand, supported by a 12.7% rise in capacity and an impressive load factor of 85.3%.
IndiGo's rapid growth is attributed to its strategic expansion into international markets. By the end of March 2025, the airline increased its international destinations to around 40, up from 26 two years prior. This expansion includes new direct connections to cities such as Jakarta and Nairobi. Additionally, IndiGo has introduced premium «stretch» cabins on popular domestic routes, signaling a shift from its traditional budget airline image.
Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo, said in a press release, «India is amongst the fastest growing aviation markets in the world; and as the largest Indian airline, IndiGo is committed to consistently increase its contribution to this growth. The financial year 2025 has been a pivotal year in our journey as we took significant steps in our evolution into a truly global airline. This includes introduction of IndiGoStretch, our tailor-made business offering, and BlueChip, our loyalty program, besides sizeable network expansion in the domestic as well as international market.»
The airline's fleet expansion plans further underscore its growth trajectory. IndiGo has placed a historic order for 500 narrow-body aircraft and plans to double its fleet by the end of the decade. Deliveries of Airbus's A321XLR long-range aircraft are expected later this year, facilitating further expansion into Europe and more distant Asian destinations.
IndiGo's robust growth reflects the broader trend of India's rapidly expanding aviation sector, driven by increasing demand for air travel among its growing middle class. The airline's strategic initiatives and fleet expansion position it as a key player in Asia's aviation landscape.
Trichy Airport Breaks Passenger Record in April 2025
Tiruchirappalli International Airport, located in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, has accrding to The Times of India reported a major milestone in its domestic operations. In April 2025, the airport handled a record 66,433 domestic passengers—a 51% increase compared to April 2024.
This remarkable growth is largely attributed to expanded connectivity with metro cities and an increase in domestic flight frequency, especially from Air India Express. Previously known primarily for international flights to Southeast Asia and the Middle East, Trichy Airport is now establishing itself as a significant hub for domestic travel as well.
The increase in passenger numbers reflects broader trends in India’s aviation sector, where tier-2 cities like Tiruchirappalli (commonly called Trichy) are playing a growing role in regional air mobility. With improved infrastructure and consistent passenger demand, Trichy Airport is becoming a key player in South India’s air traffic network.
Resilience and adaptability
The Asia Pacific aviation industry continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptability in the face of economic headwinds. With sustained growth in both passenger and cargo sectors, and significant developments in key markets like India, the region is poised for continued expansion in the coming months. Airlines are expected to further capitalize on emerging opportunities, leveraging strategic route expansions and fleet enhancements to meet evolving market demands.
