The Airport

Overview

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has been the world’s busiest international cargo airport since 1996. In 2022, HKIA handled 4.2 million tonnes of total cargo throughput, which accounted for about 48%, or about HK$4,560 billion, of the total value of Hong Kong's external trade. Currently HKIA provides 55 parking stands for cargo aircraft. Our competitive advantages as an air cargo hub include:

  • World’s Freest Economy
  • Geographical Advantage
  • Excellent Connectivity
  • State-of-the-art Facilities
  • Sufficient Cargo Handling Capacity
  • Efficient Cargo Handling & Security

Collaboration with the Air Cargo Industry

HKIA plays an active role in the Cargo Facilitation Committee, which organises quarterly meetings to review air cargo handling operations and performance. Other committee members include:

  • Carrier Liaison Group (CLG)
  • Hong Kong Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics Ltd. (HAFFA)
  • Hong Kong Customs & Excise Department (C&ED)
  • Asia Airfreight Terminal Co Ltd. (AAT)
  • DHL Aviation (HK) Ltd. (DHL)
  • Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd. (HACTL)
  • Cathay Pacific Services Ltd. (CPSL)

Streamlined Customs

A fast and efficient customs process is critical to Hong Kong and its economy. HKIA expedites clearance by providing integrated Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) linkage between the eight major air cargo operators and the Customs & Excise Department. Benefits include:

  • Allowing pre-arrival customs clearance, covering all types of cargo down to the “house” air waybill level;
  • Providing a “priority consignments” facility and automatic assignment of default constraint codes; and
  • Enabling authorised service providers to provide cross boundary bonded truck services to Mainland China.

Mainland Integration

HKIA has established cargo depots at strategic locations in the Greater Bay Area. This enables a better relationship with cargo sources and facilitates the flow of goods via Hong Kong, enhancing HKIA’s role as a key link in China’s supply chain.

International Recognition

HKIA’s air cargo excellence has won widespread international recognition, including:

  • 2022 Airport of the Year of World Air Cargo Awards by Air Cargo Week
  • 2022 Cargo Airport of the Year - Asia Pacific of Payload Asia Awards by Payload Asia
  • 2020 Asia Pacific Airport of the Year of Payload Asia Awards by Payload Asia
  • 2019 Freighter Hub of the Year 2019 of Air Cargo News Awards by Air Cargo News
  • 2018 – 2019 Platinum Award of Air Cargo Excellence by Air Cargo World
  • 2016 – 2022 Best Global Airport of Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain (AFLAS) Awards by Asia Cargo News
  • 2014 – 2017 Asia Pacific Airport of the Year - Industry Choice by Payload Asia
  • 2007 – 2011, 2016 – 2017 Asian Airport Efficiency Excellence Award by Air Transport Research Society
  • 2006 – 2016 Air Cargo Award of Excellence by Air Cargo World
  • 2015 Best Airport - Asia by Asia Cargo News
  • 2014 Best Green Airport by Cargonews Asia
  • 2008 Cargo Airport of the Year by STAT Times
  • 2007 International Airport of the Year by Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation
  • 2005 & 2007 Most Friendly Airport for Cargo by the Federation of Asia Pacific Aircargo Associations
  • 2002 – 2004 Cargo Airport of the Year – Far East by Air Cargo News
  • 2002 – 2003 Cargo Airport of the Year by Air Cargo News