Hong Kong air cargo soars 41.9pc in May, sets monthly record

AIR cargo volume at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) increased 41.9 per cent year on year in May, hitting a monthly record of 367,000 tonnes, according to figures released by the Hong Kong Government.

"The speedy and significant recovery in cargo traffic at HKIA further lends support to HKIA's status as the world's busiest international air cargo centre," said the government communique.

Air traffic movements in May grew 8.4 per cent to 25,380. Passenger volume for the month reached 4.1 million, up 14.4 per cent over the same period last year.

"Cargo throughput to and from all major HKIA markets showed double-digit growth over the same month last year. The substantial growth was in part due to the relatively low base recorded in May 2009, as well as the continued recovery of key export markets, particularly Europe and North America," said the statement.

Exports recorded strong growth of 61 per cent, while imports and transshipments surged 32 per cent and 14 per cent respectively, it said.

The double-digit growth in the passenger market was also partly due to the lower base for comparison from last May, when passenger traffic was badly affected by the human swine flu outbreak, the statement said.

In May, visitor numbers grew by 27 per cent as the economy continued to rebound, with those from south east Asia and north Asia showing the highest increases. Hong Kong resident travel also registered a year-on-year increase of 19 per cent, and transfer-transit traffic remained at a similar level with the same period last year.

Airport Authority Hong Kong CEO Stanley Hui said: "We are delighted with the huge increase in cargo. More than 10,000 tonnes of cargo were handled each day on average for three consecutive months, and traffic has returned to the pre-crisis level."

On a rolling 12-month basis, cargo throughput was up by 14.4 per cent to 3.8 million tonnes, while passenger volume recorded flat growth at 47.4 million and air traffic movements slid 3.4 per cent to 282,875, said the communique.
(source:www.schednet.com)