Airport Authority Announces Air Traffic Figures for October

(HONG KONG, 17 November 2019)  –  Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) today announced the October traffic figures for Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). During the month, HKIA handled 5.4 million passengers and 34,300 flight movements, representing year-on-year decreases of 13.0% and 6.1%, respectively. Cargo throughput dropped 5.5% year on year to 428,000 tonnes, a smaller decline compared with last month.

Passenger volume in October continued to be suppressed by weak visitor traffic, with passengers to and from the Mainland and Southeast Asia experiencing the most significant decreases. Transfer / transit traffic, however, showed strong year-on-year growth of 7.0%, while Hong Kong resident travel increased 2.0%.

Cargo exports saw improved momentum, recording just a 2.6% decline year on year. Amongst key trading regions, cargo exported to Japan and Europe outperformed other regions.

Over the first 10 months of the year, HKIA handled 60.8 million passengers and 353,200 flight movements, representing year-on-year decreases of 2.2% and 0.6%, respectively. Cargo throughput fell 7.0% to 3.9 million tonnes compared to the same period last year.

On a 12-month rolling basis, passenger volume and flight movements recorded declines of 1.6% and 0.2% to 73.3 million and 425,755, respectively. Cargo throughout dropped to 4.8 million, a decline of 6.4% compared to the same period last year.

Separately, HKIA was awarded the “Asia Pacific Large Airport Of The Year 2019” at CAPA’s Aviation Awards for Excellence. HKIA was recognised for how it has overcome challenges related to the Three-runway System project and other development projects, including the extension of Terminal 1, as it strives to increase the airport’s capacity to meet robust traffic demand. HKIA was also praised for providing consistent service despite the disruptions caused by the social unrest in Hong Kong this year, and for helping Hong Kong’s international commercial and tourism sectors navigate difficult times. The “Asia Pacific Large Airport Of The Year 2019” award is given to airports with more than 30 million annual passengers that demonstrate outstanding strategy in establishing leadership and advancing the progress of the aviation industry.

Steven Yiu, Deputy Director, Service Delivery for the AA said, “We are honoured to receive this prestigious award, which recognises our efforts in strengthening the hub status of HKIA through the continuous development of numerous segments – from core passenger services, air cargo and multimodal connectivity to retail, exhibitions and hotels. By accelerating these interconnected, synergistic developments, HKIA is transforming from a city airport into an Airport City – a trend that will continue over the next decade and beyond. This award also recognises the concerted efforts of the airport community to maintain normal operations and minimise impact on travellers in these challenging times. I would like to express my gratitude to all airport staff who continue to perform their duties with admirable professionalism and dedication.”