AAPA cautions growth not bringing profits

Safety a key issue for Asia Pacific airlines

The unprecedented losses of MH370 and MH17 this year have raised issues that include procedures related to aircraft tracking, and governing flights over conflict zones. 

Asian airlines yields are not in the pink despite both passenger and freight traffic having increased significantly over the past year, Andrew Herdman, director general, Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, said a day before delegates gathered for the 58th annual Assembly of Presidents of AAPA in Tokyo. 

More immediately, however, airlines are focused on tackling a number of major challenges. Safety is one such priority. The unprecedented losses of MH370 and MH17 this year have raised issues that include procedures related to aircraft tracking, and governing flights over conflict zones. 

AAPA has included them in its agenda. Meanwhile SITA has already started flight trials for tracking systems on SIA and Malaysian Airlines. 

"They are expected to be over by the end of the year," Ilya Gutlin president Asia Pacific, SITA, told Travel Weekly. 

Infrastructure in Asia has not kept pace with demand, said AAPA.

Herdman said there is need for corresponding long term investments in related aviation infrastructure, including airport terminals, runways and air navigation services. 

"Governments have key roles to play in coordinating such investments and ensuring that the necessary regulatory oversight of the industry keeps pace with growth," he said.