AAPA Focuses on Growth and Sustainability for Asia-Pacific Airlines

Asia-Pacific airlines experienced significant growth in 2024, with the region’s carriers transporting a total of 365 million international passengers, a 30.5% increase compared to 2023. This growth, combined with continued demand, presents a positive outlook for the industry in 2025.

Subhas Menon, Director General of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), shared insights into the association’s roadmap for growth, its objectives, and its approach to tackling industry challenges. The AAPA grew its membership in late 2024 and early 2025, welcoming Lion Air in November 2024, Qantas in January 2025, and Air New Zealand in February 2025. Menon highlighted the return of Qantas and Air New Zealand as particularly significant, as they had been members until around 2010. Lion Air’s inclusion marked AAPA’s first budget carrier member.

AAPA membership criteria require airlines to have substantial operations in the Asia-Pacific region and to be based in countries following the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) definition of the Asia-Pacific area. This region includes countries from Afghanistan to Vietnam, with airlines based between GMT+5 and GMT+12.

AAPA acts as a collective voice for its members, addressing issues with governments, aircraft manufacturers, airport authorities, and other organizations. Menon emphasized the value of collaboration, where airlines with similar challenges can share best practices and solutions. One key role of AAPA is acting as a mediator between airlines and regulatory bodies such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and ICAO, allowing airlines to focus on daily operational issues like competition and capacity.

The challenges facing Asia-Pacific airlines are similar across the region, including safety, sustainability, supply chain issues, cross-border regulations, and capacity constraints. Menon noted that many global organizations are influenced by European and North American perspectives, which means the unique challenges of Asia-Pacific airlines may not be fully understood. AAPA works to ensure these issues are heard on the global stage.

Menon also discussed the association’s approach to working with governments in the region, stressing the importance of consistency in communications. Governments in Asia often have a hierarchical relationship with airlines, but AAPA focuses on advocating for the industry’s needs without vested interests.

At the AAPA’s 68th Assembly of Presidents in November 2024, the association passed three resolutions focused on sustainability and addressing supply chain constraints. Menon mentioned ongoing efforts to engage with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to tackle supply chain issues and push for the development of new aircraft that can help reduce the aviation industry’s carbon footprint.

Regarding sustainability, Menon acknowledged that Asia-Pacific lags behind in the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), but emphasized that SAF should not be the sole solution. He pointed to fuel-efficient aircraft, improved load factors, and aerodynamic efficiency as key factors in reducing the industry’s carbon footprint. With a 2.5% contribution to global emissions, Menon believes that focusing on fuel efficiency and technology, in addition to SAF, offers a more balanced path to reaching sustainability goals by 2050.

As Asia-Pacific airlines continue to grow, AAPA plays a critical role in advocating for the industry, addressing regulatory challenges, and promoting sustainability efforts to ensure the region remains competitive and sustainable in the future.

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