HKIA Sees Continuous Growth in Passengers Volume and Flight Movements in January

(HONG KONG, 17 February 2019)  –  Passenger volume and flight movements at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) continued to increase in January 2019. During the month, HKIA handled 6.5 million passengers, representing year-on-year growth of 6%, while flight movements increased 1.4% to 36,530 compared to the same month last year. Cargo throughput dropped 4.2% to 401,000 tonnes.

The growth in passenger volume was mainly attributed to an 8% rise in transfer / transit traffic and a 7% increase in visitor traffic. Passenger traffic to and from mainland China and Japan recorded the most significant increases. Hong Kong resident travel also grew by 2% during the month.

Uncertain global economic conditions contributed to decreases in cargo volume in January. Imports and transshipments were impacted the most, registering 8% and 6% year-on-year drops, respectively. Amongst key trading regions, cargo traffic to and from Europe and Southeast Asia decreased most significantly during the month.

Steven Yiu, Deputy Director, Service Delivery, Airport Authority Hong Kong, said, “After seeing continued growth in passenger numbers in January, HKIA also experienced a busy Chinese New Year peak travel season. Between 5 February and 11 February, airlines scheduled more than 180 additional flights and served an average of 217,000 daily passengers. Thanks to the concerted efforts of the airport community, operations went smoothly during the period.”

On a 12-month rolling basis, passenger volume and flight movements grew by 3.1% and 1.6% to 75 million and 428,265, respectively, while cargo throughput recorded 5.1 million tonnes, rising 0.4% year on year.