HKIA Sees Growth in Passenger Traffic and Flight Movements in May

(HONG KONG, 16 June 2019)  –  Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) announced that Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) recorded increases in passengers and air traffic movements in May 2019. Passenger throughput increased 3.2% to 6.2 million compared to the same month last year, while flight movements rose 0.9% to 36,305. Cargo throughput decreased 7.3% year on year to 405,000 tonnes.

HKIA experienced a strong 10% growth in transfer/transit traffic in May, which drove passenger growth in the month. Passenger traffic to/from Taiwan recorded the most significant increase.

Amid uncertain global economic situation, cargo imports decreased by 9%, compared to the same month last year, while exports and transshipments both declined 7%. During the month, cargo throughput associated with Southeast Asia, Japan and Mainland China decreased most significantly among the key trading regions.

In the first five months of the year, HKIA handled 31.5 million passengers and 177,665 flight movements, representing year-on-year increases of 2.6% and 1.0%, respectively. Cargo throughput saw a drop of 6.3% to 1.9 million tonnes as compared with the same period in 2018.

On a 12-month rolling basis, HKIA handled 75.5 million passengers and 429,465 flight movements, representing respective year-on-year increases of 2.4% and 1.1%, while cargo throughput declined 2.7% to 5.0 million tonnes.

On a separate note, HKIA’s free Wi-Fi service has been further enhanced with the latest addition of more high-speed Wi-Fi zones. Andy Bien, Chief Information Officer, AA, said, “As part of the AA’s ongoing passenger facility enhancement, the number of high-speed Wi-Fi zones at the departures level will increase from 15 to 30 by the end of June, providing a download speed of up to 400Mbps or more. The overall Wi-Fi coverage at HKIA will also be strengthened with 600 additional access points to be available next year. We are also keeping a close eye on the latest Wi-Fi technology and standards, with an aim to provide the most updated service to our passengers from all over the world.”

Meanwhile the AA also announced the further expansion of HKIA’s extensive network of airlines to provide even more choices for passengers. The airport recently welcomed Eznis Airways, which began providing three flights weekly to and from Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia, starting from 3 June.