Cargo and passenger throughput maintains momentum at HKIA

(HONG KONG, 19 December 1999) - The November figures for air cargo throughput indicate a healthy increase over the same period last year, while passenger numbers also continued to rise, the Airport Authority (AA) said today.

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) handled a total of 201,000 tonnes of cargo in November, compared with 157,484 tonnes over the same period last year - an increase of 27.6 per cent.

The number of passengers was also up compared with the same period last year with the total being 2,577,000, and increase of 13.2 per cent.

Commenting on the latest figures, AA Chief Executive Officer Mr Billy Lam Chung-lun said the upward trend, especially air cargo, was due to strong demand as a result of Asia's economic recovery. He believed this trend will continue. In addition, many companies, have probably been building up their inventories in anticipation of Y2K, he added.

"We expect a slower growth rate early next year with traffic again picking up towards Chinese New Year," he said. "The improving economic situation in Asia reinforces our decision to develop a Marine Cargo Terminal and Logistics Centres at the airport. These facilities will further strengthen our position as a major cargo and logistic hub and an international aviation centre."

Aircraft movements for November totalled 14,175, a rise of 5.2 per cent over last November's figures of 13,478.

Meanwhile, with the approach of the festive season, the AA, airlines, airport service providers and retailers are fully prepared to meet the holiday passenger traffic.

Ref. PR-476