HKIA Reports Steady Traffic Growth in First Half of 2015

(HONG KONG, 19 July 2015)  –  Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) recorded steady growth in all three traffic categories during the first half of 2015. From January to June this year, passenger throughput and flight movements rose by 9.1% and 4.4% to 33.6 million and 199,620 respectively, compared to the same period last year. Cargo traffic increased slightly by 0.6% to 2.1 million tonnes.

Monthly passenger traffic and flight movements for June registered year-on-year growth of 7.1% and 3.5% to 5.6 million and 32,870 respectively. In June, cargo volume decreased by 3.5% to 349,000 tonnes. 

The growth in passenger traffic in June was mainly driven by transfer/transit traffic and Hong Kong resident traffic, which experienced 13% and 12% growth respectively over the same month last year. Passenger traffic to / from Southeast Asia and Japan recorded the most significant increases.

The decline in cargo throughput last month was mainly attributed to a 5% year-on-year drop in transshipments and a 4% decrease in exports. Imports registered 1% growth compared to the same month last year. Traffic to / from Southeast Asia, Mainland China and Europe underperformed other regions during the month. Cargo traffic was suppressed by the Eurozone weak economy and a slowdown in Asia Pacific imports and exports.

In the first half of 2015, passenger traffic was driven by continued growth of transfer/transit traffic and Hong Kong resident traffic, while cargo throughput was affected by a drop in exports. Passenger traffic and aircraft movements are expected to grow steadily in the second half, while cargo throughput is expected to consolidate for the rest of the year.

Henry Ma, General Manager, Market and Connectivity Development of Airport Authority Hong Kong said, “Our SkyPier ferry service has recently expanded to Lianhuashan in Guangzhou, which is now the ninth port served by HKIA. Starting from 1 July, two daily roundtrip ferry services between HKIA and Lianhuashan are provided for transfer passengers. The SkyPier ferry service extension can help meet rising demand for cross-boundary travel between our airport and the Pearl River Delta region, and further enhance HKIA’s multi-modal connectivity for customers.”

"On land transport, HKIA is now better connected to the rest of the city. Franchised public bus companies operating at HKIA have enhanced their overnight service. Starting from 28 June, Long Win Bus has launched two new sub-routes, N30P and N30S, in addition to the existing route N30, serving Tuen Mun, Tin Shui Wai and Yuen Long. Another four new overnight express bus routes, including NA21, NA29, NA33 and NA34 - operated by Long Win Bus and Citybus - will commence service on 23 July, serving Mongkok, Kowloon East, Tseung Kwan O, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai. The enhanced land transport service will offer greater convenience for both airport staff and passengers," Mr Ma added.

On a rolling 12-month basis, HKIA handled 66.1 million of passenger traffic and 4.4 million tonnes of cargo, up 7.1% and 3.2%, respectively, from the previous year. Flight movements also increased by 4.4% to 399,485.