Air China has reported a 9% increase in passenger traffic in January, with international and regional traffic registering double-digit growth.

Domestic RPKs rose 7%, international RPKs grew 11% and regional RPKs increased 10%, says the Star Alliance carrier.

Regional traffic refers to that from Hong Kong and Macau.

In real numbers, the total number of passengers carried grew 6% to 3.4 million, says the flag carrier.

Domestic passenger numbers rose 5% to 2.8 million, international passenger numbers increased 11% to 495,000 and regional passenger numbers grew 11% to 108,600.

Capacity, as measured in ASKs, grew 10%. Domestic capacity increased 8%, international capacity grew 12% and regional capacity rose 2%.

The passenger load factor fell 0.2 percentage point to 77%, adds Air China. The domestic passenger load factor was down 0.6 percentage point to 75.1%, the international passenger load factor was down 0.1 percentage point to 80.2% and the regional passenger load factor was up 5.6 percentage points to 74.7%.

On the cargo front, revenue freight tonne kilometres (RFTKs) grew 65%, says Air China. Domestic cargo traffic grew 39%, international cargo traffic was up 76% and regional cargo traffic rose 52%.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news