In 2012, Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) handled 56.5 million passengers, 4.03 million tonnes of cargo, and 352,000 flight movements. Over 100 airlines operate at HKIA, flying between Hong Kong and about 170 destinations worldwide, including 50 in the Mainland.
The airport is an international and regional aviation centre that makes significant social and economic contributions to Hong Kong:
- It supports the four pillar industries of Hong Kong – financial services, trading and logistics, tourism, and producer and professional services – which together accounted for 58% of Hong Kong's GDP in 2010;
- It contributes directly to Hong Kong's economy. Hong Kong's aviation industry generated HK$78 billion in value added* contribution in 2008, representing 4.6% of Hong Kong's GDP;
- It directly employs over 65,000 people and the number almost triples when indirect and induced employment – such as jobs created by construction and cleaning companies, and food and retail goods suppliers – are taken into account. Together they represent over 5% of the workforce in Hong Kong.
* Value added is defined as the value of gross output less the value of intermediate consumption (the value of goods and services used up in the course of production). The value added figure quoted here was assessed by an independent consultant and includes direct, indirect and induced contribution.
