Asia, Pacific drive aviation demand

BEIJING - Demand from the Asia-Pacific region is powering the eastward shift of the global civil aviation industry, said the International Air Transport Association late last month.

The global revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs gained 7.6 percent in 2017, well ahead of the 10-year average of 5.5 percent, said IATA in Airlines Financial Monitor.

IATA expects "a moderate slowdown in passenger growth in 2018 as stimulus to demand from lower airfares fades".