Air cargo throughput at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) registered growth of 10.3 per cent to 659,000 tonnes during the first two months of the year. 

The combined growth of cargo throughput for the first two months was mainly attributed to 12 per cent year-on-year growth in exports and 10 per cent growth in transshipments. Traffic to/from North America and Southeast Asia increased most significantly compared to other key regions. Taking into consideration the fact that Chinese New Year fell in different calendar months in 2014 and 2015, the combined traffic figures for the first two months of the year provide a more realistic comparison with last year’s performance.

In February alone, cargo throughput saw sharp growth to 303,000 tonnes, up 22.6 per cent compared to the same month last year. HKIA also handled 5.4 million passengers and 31,195 flight movements during the month, representing year-on-year increases of 13.6 per cent and 8.5 per cent respectively.

C K Ng, executive director, Airport Operations of Airport Authority Hong Kong, said, “Fuelled by the high demand during the Chinese New Year peak travel season, HKIA set a new daily passenger volume record of more than 228,000 on 23 February. While the airport is becoming busier and busier, the airport community continues to uphold the highest levels of service quality, safety and efficiency, which resulted in smooth operations during this year’s Chinese New Year traffic peak.”