The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation predicts Traffic growth to moderate in 2005

According to The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation passenger traffic growth, will be very strong in 2005, especially on short haul Asian routes. Asia Pacific aviation in 2004 staged a massive recovery from SARS, with traffic jumping by over 20%, aided by robust growth in last quarter. 

But growth will be slower in 2005, according to preliminary findings in the Centre’s annual aviation outlook report, to be released at the Asia Pacific & Middle East Aviation & Tourism Outlook 2005 conference on 24-25 January 2005 in Singapore.

According to the Centre’s Managing Director, Peter Harbison, “traffic growth is expected to moderate in 2005, but double-digit growth will continue in several markets, particularly India and China. Asia's short haul market will show the highest growth levels, as liberalisation and new entry accelerate”.

“Pricing pressures will intensify in many markets, particularly those contested by new low cost entrants. Oil prices appear to be stabilising and look likely to hold in a USD10 range around USD40 per barrel – better than the highs of 2004, but still a cause for concern for carriers”, said Mr Harbison.

“Savvy travellers will again be the big winners in 2005, with online discounting likely on an increasing array of destinations. Airports, particularly in regional areas, will also benefit in 2005 from the effects of recent liberalisation, as it gains momentum in 2005”, concluded Mr Harbison.

These issues will be covered in depth at the Asia Pacific & Middle East Aviation & Tourism Outlook 2005 conference. Programme highlights include:

* Keynote Address: Yeo Cheow Tong, Minister for Transport, Singapore
* Qantas: Geoff Dixon, CEO
* Singapore Airlines: Chew Choon Seng, CEO
* Jet Airways: Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, CEO
* AirAsia: Tony Fernandes, CEO
* Airports Council International: Andrew Ma, Director Pacific
* Macau Airport: Chan Wai Leong, Executive Director
* Arab Air Carriers Organisation: Abdul Wahab Teffaha, Secretary General
* Association of Asia Pacific Airlines: Andrew Herdman, Director General
* Japan Airlines: Nobutaka Ishikure, Chief Industry Affairs Officer
* Malaysia Airports: Dato’ Bashir Ahmad, Managing Director

See other recent news from: The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation