Hong Kong, the world’s busiest cargo airport, boosted by surging e-commerce numbers is building up its infrastructure for the trade. “In the first quarter of 2018, HKIA handled 1.15 million tonnes of cargo, which is 4.2 per cent more than that in 2017,” a spokesperson for the Airport Authority of Hong Kong told Air Cargo Week. We expect the growth momentum continues this year.”
Particular drivers the airport noticed were cross-border e-commerce, which creates enormous opportunities for express and small parcel airfreight, and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical shipments.
“In 2017, we recorded a 19 per cent growth of airmail volume,” said the spokesperson.
To capture more of these businesses the authority is building up its relevant hardware and facilities.
“The AA is also in discussion with Hongkong Post and other postal authorities to expand the Air Mail Centre at HKIA to enhance its capacity and operating efficiency to cater for the future growth of airmail volume,” the spokesperson said.
The authority also recently tendered for interested parties to develop a premium logistics centre at Kwo Lo Wan (KLW).
“The new centre is expected to provide premium logistics space of around 4 million square-feet, making it one of the largest logistics facility in Hong Kong,” the spokesman said. It is expected to complete in 2023.
It has entered into agreement with DHL Express to expand its Central Asia Hub (CAH) by 2022. Annual throughput of the expanded CAH is expected to rise by 50 per cent to 1.06 million tonnes, the spokesperson added.
To help this the authority will invest in the addition of 21 cool dollies in the coming two years, the spokesperson said.
“The AA also strives to become the Strategic Airport Member of Pharma.Aero for collaboration with other pharma hub airports on the establishment of a cold-chain corridor,” the spokesperson added.
