HKIA Records Steady Traffic Growth in First Half of 2018

(HONG KONG, 15 July 2018)  –  Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) announced that all three traffic categories saw steady growth in the first half of 2018. From January to June of this year, HKIA handled 36.9 million passengers and 2.5 million tonnes of cargo and airmail, representing increases of 3.4% and 3.5%, respectively, over the same period last year. Flight movements increased 2.3% to 211,285 year on year.

Visitor traffic and Hong Kong resident travel were the key drivers for passenger growth. Cargo throughput growth was attributed largely to transshipments.

In June, passengers and flight movements amounted to 6.2 million and 35,340, respectively, representing year-on-year growth of 5.2% and 2.2%. HKIA handled 424,000 tonnes of cargo and airmail, increasing 0.9%. Hong Kong resident travel and visitor traffic grew by 9% and 8%, respectively, contributing the most to passenger growth. Passenger traffic to and from Southeast Asia, mainland China and Japan recorded the most significant increases. Transshipments saw a strong increase of 14%, once again driving growth in cargo throughput. North America and Southeast Asia experienced the most significant growth among key trading regions.

On a 12-month rolling basis, cargo and airmail throughput increased 5.6% to 5.1 million tonnes year on year. Passengers and flight movements grew 4.3% and 2.9% to 74 million and 425,350, respectively.

Meanwhile, HKIA received the “Top Asian Airport Efficiency Excellence Award” from the Air Transport Research Society (ATRS) for the eighth time. HKIA was commended for its excellence in operational and managerial efficiency, cost competitiveness, financial performance and air charges, ranking number one amongst other Asian Pacific counterparts serving more than 40 million passengers annually. C K Ng, Executive Director, Airport Operations, Airport Authority Hong Kong, said, “It is our great honour to receive this prestigious award again this year, which recognises the efforts that our 73,000 dedicated airport staff have made in providing world-class service to our passengers. We will continue to do our best to further enhance our operational efficiency and offer excellent passenger experience to travellers at HKIA.”

As HKIA received the award, its flight service continues to enhance, providing more convenience and choices to travellers. Virgin Australia inaugurated daily direct flight service between Hong Kong and Sydney starting from 2 July.  In addition, Air Belgium will increase its flight service between HKIA and Brussels South Charleroi Airport to four times a week starting from 2 August.