Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) has released the traffic figures for Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) for August 2021. During the month, cargo throughput recorded a year-on-year increase of 15.5% to 429,000 tonnes. All three cargo categories – namely imports, exports and transshipments – recorded double-digit growth at HKIA in August. Cargo to and from North America and Southeast Asia experienced the most significant increases during the month.
Meanwhile, the airport handled 222,000 passengers and 12,845 flight movements, surging by 164.9% and 28.4%, respectively, from the low base in the same month last year. HKIA handled more than 7,000 passengers daily during the month, due to a significant increase in outbound transfer passengers from Mainland China. The month’s passenger traffic amounted to around 4% of pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Over the first eight months of the year, cargo throughput saw 12.4% growth to 3.2 million tonnes. Passenger throughput and flight movements reported declines of 91.6% and 23.3%, to 713,000 passengers and 87,510, respectively.
On a 12-month rolling basis, HKIA handled 1.1 million passengers and 134,145 flight movements, recording year-on-year decreases of 96.4% and 46%, respectively. Cargo throughput rose 6.3% to 4.8 million tonnes.
Separately, HKIA clinched the “Top Airport Efficiency Excellence Award, Asia Pacific” in the 2021 Air Transport Research Society (ATRS) Global Airport Benchmarking Report, which marks the eleventh time HKIA is being recognised by this prestigious honour. Amongst other Asia Pacific counterparts serving more than 40 million passengers annually, HKIA was commended for its excellence in areas such as productivity efficiency, unit costs and cost competitiveness, financial results and airport charges.
Vivian Cheung, executive director, airport operations of the AA, said, “It is our great pleasure to receive this award, which serves as valuable encouragement for our airport community, especially during these difficult times for the aviation industry. Throughout the past two years, we have introduced touchless technology and applied robotics to daily operations at the airport, enhancing operational efficiency while prioritising the health and safety of all airport users. A series of airport enhancement projects, including the transformation and refurbishment of our boarding gates, dining outlets and shopping facilities, is also underway to prepare for the return of travellers. We will continue to enhance our handling efficiency while providing an unforgettable airport experience for travellers from around the world.”
