Hong Kong International Airport retains status as world’s busiest cargo gateway

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) held on to its lofty position as the busiest cargo airport on the planet in 2022, handling a total of 4.2 million tonnes of cargo during the year, according to ACI World’s annual traffic figures.

Operator, Airport Authority Hong Kong, notes that it retained the top position in 2022 despite “ongoing geopolitical tensions and disruptions to global trade and supply chains that caused a decrease in overall air cargo volume globally”.

AAHK is also quick to point out that a number of projects designed to enhance the airport’s cargo handling capabilities are currently underway at the airport, in parallel with the expansion into a three-runway system.

Major cargo and logistics projects taking place at the airport include the recently completed expansion of DHL’s Central Asia Hub, which will increase its handling capacity by 50%; and the development of a premium logistics centre by a joint venture spearheaded by Alibaba Group’s logistics arm, Cainiao Network, scheduled for completion this year.

In addition to these initiatives, AAHK notes that a new sea-air intermodal cargo transhipment model has been initiated by the setting up of a HKIA Logistics Park in Dongguan and a new airside intermodal cargo pier at HKIA, for which the pilot scheme has been running smoothly.

HKIA is one of the few airports in the world with its cargo terminal operators and ramp handling operators attaining the International Air Transport Association (IATA) CEIV standards for transport of cargo that requires special handling, including CEIV Pharma, CEIV Fresh or CEIV Live Animals.

Jack So, chairman of Airport Authority Hong Kong, enthused: “We are proud that HKIA retains its leading position as the world’s busiest cargo airport in 2022.

“Despite the impact brought to the global aviation industry by the pandemic, HKIA’s cargo performance has consistently remained strong over the past few years, leveraging its extensive network and high efficiency.

“As air traffic continues to recover worldwide, coupled with the completion of various new cargo facilities at HKIA, we will continue to work with our business partners to consolidate HKIA’s role as the world’s leading air cargo hub.”