Hong Kong air passenger traffic up 8.1%

Air traffic movements rose 13.9%, to 26,765, according to figures released by the Airport Authority.

Hong Kong's Information Services Department said, Hong Kong International Airport registered year-on-year increases in November of 8.1% in passenger traffic, to 4.1 million, and 7.1% in cargo throughput, to 368,000 tonnes.

The growth in passenger traffic last month was mainly driven by visitors and Hong Kong residents, which showed year-on-year growth of 10% and 9%. Passenger volume in all key regions recorded positive growth from a year ago, with South East Asia performing particularly well. Transfer/transit passengers rose 6% over the same month last year.

On the cargo front, the continuous growth in total cargo throughput was fuelled by year-on-year growth of 10%, 7% and 5% in transshipments, exports and imports. Among all the markets, North America and Europe continued their strong momentum with double-digit growth.

"With market demand continuing to be strong, we are anticipating a busy holiday season for the coming Christmas and new year,” Airport Authority Chief Executive Officer Stanley Hui said.

An average of more than 150,000 passengers will travel through the airport every day, and on peak days a record level of close to 170,000 passengers is expected, he said.

For the first 11 months this year, the airport has handled a total of 46.5 million passengers and 3.8 million tonnes of cargo, 10.7% and 24.8% more than the same period last year. Air-traffic movements have also gone up 9.3% to 278,820.