At the conclusion of the 69th Assembly of Presidents, leaders of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) expressed confidence in the region’s continued air transport growth through 2026, supported by resilient economies and strong passenger and cargo demand. Despite persistent geopolitical and trade tensions, AAPA members registered robust international air traffic performance. International passenger traffic for Asia Pacific carriers rose 10% in the first nine months of 2025, while air cargo demand expanded 7%, outpacing global averages.
“Asia Pacific airlines continue to demonstrate agility in managing supply chain constraints, with capacity growth keeping pace with demand,” said Subhas Menon, AAPA Director General. “However, further escalation of tariffs could exacerbate these bottlenecks.” The Assembly brought together airline leaders, manufacturers, and industry partners to address key industry priorities, including supply chain resilience, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) deployment, and manpower resilience.
The Assembly passed resolutions on several priorities: adopting targets for SAF utilization by 2030, advocating for policies to support sustainable fuel production, improving supply chain capabilities, and enhancing aviation safety practices, particularly regarding lithium batteries. The outlook remains optimistic despite uncertainties from global trade policies and U.S. tariffs. AAPA plans focus areas for 2026 include advancing safety and sustainability, strengthening supply resilience, and increasing air transport connectivity.
Additionally, Airbus presented projections requiring 19,560 new aircraft over 20 years in the Asia Pacific, primarily driven by demand in India and China. They forecast a 4.4% annual passenger growth in the region, with around 16,100 single-aisle and 3,500 widebody aircraft needed, representing nearly half of the global fleet expansion. India and China are central to this growth, with significant orders expanding their fleets to meet rising travel demand.
