Dhaka: Asia-Pacific airlines carried 34.3 million international passengers in August 2025, up 8.8pc from a year earlier, as both business and leisure demand remained strong, the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) said.

The increase was driven by the reopening of global markets, steady economic activity and growing traveller confidence.

Long-haul routes performed particularly well, underscoring the region’s role as one of the world’s fastest-growing travel hubs.

Revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) rose 9.1pc year-on-year, while average international load factor stayed high at 82.9pc. Seat capacity expanded 9.2pc, broadly in line with demand, keeping the market balanced.

Air cargo demand also rose, with freight tonne kilometres (FTKs) up 5.4pc from a year earlier, supported by e-commerce shipments and stockpiling activity amid tariff-related price pressures, AAPA said.

-B