Hong Kong International Airport hits new traffic high

Passenger volume ballooned 4.7% to 56.5m.

According to a release, passenger volume and air traffic movements at Hong Kong International Airport hit record highs of 56.5 million and 352,000 last year, representing yearly growth of 4.7% and 5.3%. Cargo volume also rose 2.2%, to 4 million tonnes.

The Airport Authority said the airport also reported 30,800 flight movements in December 2012, a 5.1% year-on-year increase and a new monthly record. The previous record for monthly flight movements was set in August 2012.

During the month, the airport also received 5 million passengers and handled 372,000 tonnes of cargo, registering year-on-year growth of 3.9% and 7.6%.

The growth in passenger traffic was driven mainly by Hong Kong resident travel, which saw a 7% rise over the same month last year. Passenger traffic to and from South East Asia and Taiwan performed particularly well.

Growth in December cargo throughput was primarily due to an 8% year-on-year growth in exports. During the month, cargo throughput to and from North America and the Chinese Mainland outperformed other key regions.

Airport Authority Chief Executive Officer Stanley Hui said despite the challenging global economic environment, regional economic growth continued to drive traffic increases at the airport in 2012.

New annual records were also set in cross-boundary traffic. During the year, traffic between the airport and Pearl River Delta destinations by limousines/ coaches and ferry services at the SkyPier grew by 3.5% and 8% to over 1.9 million and 2.6 million passenger trips.