HK airport cargo traffic hits record

Cargo traffic at Hong Kong's international airport surged to a record high in 2010, reported Dow Jones Newswires.

The Airport Authority said cargo throughput jumped 23 percent to 4.1 million metric tonnes.

“Signs of continuing robust market demand lead us to anticipate further growth in 2011, which will likely be single-digit because of the high base achieved in 2010," Airport Authority chief executive Stanley Hui said.

Air traffic movements for 2010 also hit a record, rising 9.7 percent at 306,535. Some airlines operating in Hong Kong, such as Cathay Pacific Airways, have said the city needs a third runway to help relieve congestion during peak hours.

The airport authority plans to consult the public later this year on the feasibility of a third runway, which experts say could cost tens of billions of dollars because of reclamation costs. Nearly all of Hong Kong's airport was built on reclaimed land.
(Source:www.cargonewsasia.com)