Air traffic continues to increase in September

Traffic at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) sustained healthy growth in September with passenger trips amounting to 4.4 million and cargo volume totalling 347,000 tonnes, representing increases of 1.3% and 6.8% respectively compared to the same period last year. Air traffic movements for the month rose 4.1% to 28,850.

The growth in passenger traffic in September, while slower than previous months, was driven mainly by Hong Kong resident travel, which saw an 11% rise over the same month last year. Passenger traffic to and from the Chinese Mainland and Taiwan performed particularly well.

The growth in cargo throughput last month was a strong rebound from the decline in cargo throughput since April 2011. The increase was primarily due to a 7% year-on-year growth in exports. The strong rebound in cargo throughput is also consistent with the strong rebound in trade in September. During the month, cargo throughput to and from North America and South East Asia outperformed other key regions.

Stanley Hui Hon-chung, Chief Executive Officer of Airport Authority Hong Kong, said, “All three air traffic categories maintained growth momentum during the month. It is particularly pleasing to see year-on-year increases in cargo throughput over the last two consecutive months. We remain optimistic about cargo demand and we are confident that HKIA’s long-term performance remains promising, and the airport is well positioned to continue contributing to the economy and prosperity of Hong Kong.

“It is also worth noting that airport operations were smooth and efficient during the busy National Day Golden Week. Cross-boundary coaches and limousines carried nearly 8,500 passengers from HKIA to the Chinese Mainland on 7 October, setting a new daily record. About 10,000 travellers took the SkyPier ferries between HKIA and the Pearl River Delta / Macao on 1 October.”

The winter flight schedule would come into effect at the end of October. According to the winter schedule, the average daily scheduled flights in HKIA would reach around 1,000.

In the first three quarters of 2012 HKIA has recorded 42.2 million passenger trips, 2.9 million tonnes of cargo and 261,110 flight movements, representing year-on-year increases of 5.1%, 0.9% and 5.3% respectively.

On a rolling 12-month basis, the airport’s passenger throughput rose 5.3% to 56 million and aircraft movements went up 5.2% to 346,840. Cargo volume declined 1.1% to 4 million tonnes.

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