Air travel demand is off to a strong start this year, as airlines across the Asia-Pacific region registered a 3.6-percent increase in passenger traffic to over 35 million in January, according to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).

Based on AAPA data, passenger volume among the region’s airlines rose to 35.51 million last month from 34.27 million in the same month last year.

In terms of revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), which measure total demand, airlines posted a 3.3-percent increase year on year.

Demand was largely driven by the Lunar New Year, the world's largest annual human migration.

Building on gains from last year, AAPA Director General Subhas Menon said growing network connectivity among airlines is providing travelers with greater choice.

Likewise, Menon said that improvements in select Asian currencies are also supporting outbound travel in the region.

The passenger load factor for January averaged 82.8 percent, slightly lower than the previous year’s 83.9 percent.

The lower load factor reflects a slightly smaller proportion of seats sold relative to total capacity.

Further, the Lunar New Year also led to firm demand for consumer and intermediate goods, supporting air cargo volumes, especially amid front-loading activity ahead of factory closures during the festive period.

“Continued global demand for goods produced in Asia, partly reflecting shifts in global supply chains, has likewise supported air cargo activity,” said Menon.

AAPA data showed that demand, measured in freight ton-kilometers (FTK), was up 5.9 percent year over year.

Available freight capacity rose 4.9 percent, while the freight load factor improved marginally by 0.5 percentage point (ppt).

For 2026, Menon said the overall outlook remains broadly positive amid steady global economic expansion, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Nevertheless, geopolitical and trade developments continue to pose uncertainty,” he said.

At present, the global trade environment is once again marked by deep uncertainty following the United States' (US) imposition of tariffs on nearly all imports.

This comes after the US Supreme Court ruled to nullify the reciprocal tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump in August 2025, which were arguably the biggest trade hurdle last year.

“At the same time, airlines face intensifying competition and persistently high costs, and are carefully managing expenses to preserve profitability,” Menon said.

AAPA aggregates data from 36 airlines based in the region.

In the Philippines, it covers figures from flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) and low-cost carriers Cebu Pacific and AirAsia.

Based on data from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), passenger traffic among local airlines stood at 62.34 million in 2025, up four percent from 59.91 million passengers in the previous year.

Domestic passenger traffic reached 33.24 million last year, while international passenger traffic settled at 29.1 million.