Source: Xinhua Author: 10/18/2009
Subject Concerned: Airlines Cargo Airport
Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) saw mild year-on-year drops in passenger volume, cargo throughput and air traffic movements in September, Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) said on Oct. 18.
Passenger volume at the airport fell 3.5 percent to 3.5 million in September, while cargo throughput and air traffic movements fell 4.3 percent to 304,000 tons and 8 percent to 22,570.
Authority Chief Executive Officer Stanley Hui said the mild year-on-year cuts in passenger and cargo traffic showed that contractions continued to narrow.
One passenger and six freighter airlines had resumed or started operating at the airport since July, reflecting well on their confidence in Hong Kong and the aviation industry, said Hui.
Travel made by Hong Kong residents recorded 9 percent growth. Exports and transshipment saw declines of 4 percent and 15 percent, while imports grew 6 percent. Drops in air traffic volumes continued to narrow in the last three months.
Comparing year-on-year movements on a quarterly basis, the fall in passenger volume has reduced from 7.1 percent in the first quarter to 3.5 percent in the third, while cargo volume dropped 22.9 percent in the first quarter and 5.9 percent in the third.
The airport handled 34.2 million passenger trips and 2.4 million tons of cargo from January to September, down 6.6 percent and 15.1 percent. Air traffic movements fell 7.9 percent to 207,850.