Passenger traffic shows strong recovery at HKIA

(HONG KONG, 13 November 2002) - Passenger traffic recovered strongly in October while cargo throughput set another monthly record at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), the Airport Authority (AA) said today.

A little more than 3 million passengers went through the airport in October, an increase of 17.9 per cent over a year ago. Cargo totalled 251 000 tonnes, well above the previous record of 218 000 tonnes set in September this year, and 26.4 per cent higher than October last year.

While passenger flow last year was greatly affected by the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, the AA said this month's traffic figures exceeded its expectations. During this period there was increased traffic to Southeast Asia and during the Chung Yeung Festival long weekend. Throughput was higher than pre-September 11 levels and 3.8 per cent higher than October 2000.

The surge in cargo can be attributed at least in part to the switch from sea to air freight following the closure of West Coast US ports in September. Almost two thirds of the cargo traffic or 160 000 tonnes were exports, a gain of 31 per cent from last year.

Aircraft movements rose by 10.2 per cent to 18 670, driven by the 34.5 per cent surge in cargo flights. Passenger flights were up 7.3 per cent, which was lower than the growth of passenger traffic, implying improved load factors.

In the last 12 months, passenger throughput reached 33.71 million, 1.1 per cent higher than the previous year. Cargo traffic grew by 15.1 per cent to 2.41 million tonnes and civil international flight movements increased by 3.4 per cent to 202 910.

"The figures for October are extremely encouraging,"AA Chief Executive Officer Dr David J Pang said. "After factoring the impact of last year's events, this is the strongest sign so far that the aviation business is back on track. Cargo performance has been exemplary since last December, and now passenger traffic is showing signs of recovery."

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