Source: Airport Authority Hong Kong Author: 06/15/2008
Subject Concerned: Cargo Airport
Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) recorded steady growth in May 2008, with passenger volume increasing 8.3% over May 2007, to 4.1 million. Cargo throughput rose 6.7%, to 314,000 tonnes, and aircraft movements grew 4.3%, to 25,810.
The growth in passenger numbers was mainly attributable to increase in travel by Hong Kong residents and transfer traffic to and from South East Asia and North America. Transshipments to and from North America and the Chinese Mainland as well as imports from South East Asia and exports to Europe were the key drivers for cargo growth.
"May's performance was encouraging, but high fuel prices are a major continuing concern for the aviation industry. There are already signs of some airlines slowing down their expansion, or reducing their operation to contain costs," said Stanley Hui Hon-chung, Chief Executive Officer of Airport Authority Hong Kong. "The commencement of direct, weekend charter flights across the Taiwan Strait from July will have an impact on the number of passengers transferring through Hong Kong between Taiwan and the Chinese Mainland in the short to medium term."
"In addition, the Sichuan earthquake may reduce Mainland people's desire to travel, both internationally and to Hong Kong. We will continue to monitor the market closely in the coming months," added Mr Hui.
For the 12 months ended on May 31, 2008, passenger and cargo throughput reached 49.3 million and 3.9 million tonnes, representing year-on-year increases of 8.0% and 7.3%, respectively. Air traffic movements grew 5.6%, to 301,335.