HKIA's passenger trips jumped 8.2% to 5.6m

Air traffic movements also improved.

Passenger trips at Hong Kong International Airport in August rose 8.2% year-on-year to 5.6 million, while air-traffic movements rose 6.3% to 32,395. Cargo volume grew 2.7%, to 337,000 tonnes.

The Airport Authority said visitor traffic and Hong Kong resident traffic, up 8% and 13% year on year, drove August's growth in passenger volume. Passenger traffic to and from Mainland China and South East Asia performed particularly well.

An 8% year-on-year increase in transshipments led the growth in cargo tonnage last month. Cargo throughput to and from Mainland China and South East Asia improved most significantly compared to other key regions.

The authority’s Chief Executive Officer Stanley Hui said the cargo performance at the airport continued to outperform the rest of the world, and has maintained growth for five consecutive months despite the challenging global economic situation.

“Recent economic data suggests a slow recovery in manufacturing activities in China, as well as trade with key trading partners. Shipping freight rates have increased on some routes with rising demand expected over the coming seasonal peak months," he said.

On a rolling 12-month basis, the number of passengers reached 58.6 million, up 4.8%, and 4.08 million tonnes of cargo was handled, up 3.5%. Flight movements also rose 5.5% year on year, to 364,610.