HKIA breaks records for monthly passenger number and flight movements
Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) achieved new monthly records in passenger traffic and flight movements in July, breaking the previous records set in the same month a year ago. During the month, passenger volume grew to 6.7 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 2.2%, while flight movements climbed 1.1% over the same period last year to 36,685. Cargo and airmail throughput remained steady in July at 433,000 tonnes compared to last year.
The growth in passenger traffic was mainly contributed by Hong Kong resident travel, which saw an 8% year-on-year growth over the same month last year. Overall passenger traffic to/from Mainland China, Europe and Japan recorded the most significant increases.
On the cargo front, transshipments recorded an increase of 9% year-on-year, driving the growth in cargo throughput. Amongst the key trading regions, traffic to/from North America and Southeast Asia increased most significantly.
Over the first seven months of 2018, passenger and cargo and airmail throughput both experienced year-on-year increases of 3.1%, reaching 43.6 million and 2.9 million tonnes respectively. Flight movements increased by 2.1% to 247,980 compared to the same period last year.
On a rolling 12-month basis, HKIA handled 74.2 million passengers, 5.1 million tonnes of cargo and airmail, and 425,770 flight movements, representing year-on-year growth of 4.2%, 4.7% and 2.7% respectively.
Meanwhile, HKIA is expecting the launch of a new airline service that will broaden the airport’s extensive network even further, as part of its efforts to offer more convenience and choices to travellers. Michael Yuen, General Manager, Airport and Industry Collaboration, Airport Authority Hong Kong, said, “We are delighted to welcome EgyptAir, a new addition to HKIA’s operating airlines, which will offer twice-weekly flights to and from Cairo via Bangkok starting from 18 September. The service will be further increased to three times per week from 28 October. We hope passengers enjoy the new service to this historic country, and we look forward to welcoming more new airlines adding even more destinations in the future.”