Cargo volumes and passenger numbers rise in Hong Kong

Cargo volumes at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) continue to go in the right direction, rising by 15.5% in August as 429,000 tonnes of freight passed through the gateway.

All three cargo categories – namely imports, exports and transhipments – recorded double-digit growth at HKG in August. Cargo to and from North America and Southeast Asia experienced the most significant increases during the month.

Meanwhile, the airport handled 222,000 passengers and 12,845 flight movements in August, surging by 164.9% and 28.4%, respectively, from the low base in the same month last year.

HKG handled more than 7,000 passengers daily during the month, due to a significant increase in outbound transfer passengers from Mainland China. The month’s passenger traffic amounted to around 4% of pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Over the first eight months of the year, cargo throughput saw 12.4% growth to 3.2 million tonnes. Passenger throughput and flight movements reported declines of 91.6% and 23.3%, to 713,000 passengers and 87,510, respectively.

On a 12-month rolling basis, Hong Kong International Airport handled 1.1 million passengers and 134,145 flight movements, recording year-on-year decreases of 96.4% and 46%, respectively. Cargo throughput rose 6.3% to 4.8 million tonnes.

Talking about the passenger side of the business, Airport Authority Hong Kong’s executive director of airport operations, Vivian Cheung, said: “Throughout the past two years, we have introduced touchless technology and applied robotics to daily operations at the airport, enhancing operational efficiency while prioritising the health and safety of all airport users.

“A series of airport enhancement projects, including the transformation and refurbishment of our boarding gates, dining outlets and shopping facilities, is also underway to prepare for the return of travellers. We will continue to enhance our handling efficiency while providing an unforgettable airport experience for travellers from around the world.”