Airlines struggle with fleet shortages amid surging demand, says AAPA chief
March 25, 2025
Airlines across the Asia-Pacific region are being forced to cut back on route expansion and flight frequencies due to ongoing aircraft delivery delays, Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) Director General Subhas Menon said at Routes Asia 2025 in Perth.
“Airlines will have to be very careful which routes they inaugurate, and which routes will have more frequency, because they really have their hands tied behind their backs,” Menon said.
“They’re not getting enough of the equipment they need to satisfy the demand out there.”
With international travel rebounding faster than expected, many airlines are struggling to secure new aircraft. Global supply chain disruptions have delayed deliveries, limiting carriers’ ability to expand services despite record-high passenger demand.
The shortage is particularly challenging for airlines looking to enter emerging markets in the Asia Pacific region. Some have had to postpone new route launches or reduce flight frequencies on key corridors, even as demand continues to rise, Menon said.
He added: “There is a lot of demand for air travel, especially in the Asia Pacific region. And if you look at the demand, or rather, if you take at least a glass half full perspective, you see that we have already recovered beyond pre-pandemic levels since November 2024.”
