Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) recorded significant growth in cargo volume in March 2017. During the month, cargo traffic and flight movements recorded year-on-year increases of 17.8% to 433,000 tonnes and 0.5% to 35,250 respectively.
Passenger volume dropped 2% to 5.9 million, compared to the same month last year.
The strong growth in cargo throughput was largely driven by exports, which recorded a robust 24% year-on-year increase. Imports and transshipments also experienced double-digit growth. Amongst the key trading regions, Europe and North America showed the most significant increases.
Hong Kong resident travel, the main factor behind the drop in passenger volume, registered a year-on-year decline of 11% as a result of the Easter holiday falling in March last year. Passenger traffic to and from Southeast Asia, Mainland China and Taiwan recorded the most significant drops. The number of visitors, however, showed year-on-year growth of 6%.
Vivian Cheung, Deputy Director, Airport Operations of Airport Authority Hong Kong, said, “In order to cope with the expected surge in travel over the Easter holidays, a total of over 90 extra flights will be arranged to various popular holiday destinations including Taipei, Seoul and Osaka. We have also prepared performances at the Meeters and Greeters Hall of the Arrivals Level to celebrate the festive season with passengers, featuring singing and dance shows from students and alumni of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts’ Extension and Continuing Education for Life.”
During the first three months of 2017, cargo volume at HKIA registered 11.5% year-on-year growth to 1.1 million tonnes. Passenger throughput and flight movements declined by 0.1% to 17.6 million and 1.1% to 101,800 respectively.
On a rolling 12-month basis, HKIA has handled 70.5 million passengers, 4.6 million tonnes of cargo and 410,440 flight movements, representing year-on-year increases of 1.1%, 6.7% and 0.1% respectively.
