Asia-Pacific aviation recovery not yet on horizon: AAPA chief

Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) director general Subhas Menon stresses that coronavirus vaccines and more harmony on travel rules and restrictions are key to getting the region flying again. Menon observes that the world is breaking into two distinct blocs. In the first are countries and regions – such as the USA and Europe – that have seen relatively successful vaccination campaigns. This allows travel – mainly domestic, for now – to pick up. The Asia-Pacific, where vaccination campaigns have lagged, is in the second bloc. “In Asia-Pacific, where vaccination rates [are low] in most places, aside from some exceptions like Singapore and Mongolia, you’re talking about 16% and below,” he says. He notes that travel restrictions in the region are actually tighter than they were in 2020. “So, a recovery in the Asia-Pacific is not on the horizon yet.” Last week, AAPA reported that the region’s airlines carried 1.4m passengers on scheduled international services in June, just 4.4% of the 32m carried in pre-pandemic 2019. Even so, Menon feels that the region’s airlines, for the most part, are in better shape than 12 months ago. Losses have narrowed, costs have come down, some have restructured, and some have secured funds either from the capital markets or governments.<br/>