OREANDA-NEWS.    Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) registered solid growth in passenger trips, cargo volume and flight movements in the first half of 2014. From January to June 2014, both passenger volume and cargo throughput rose by 6.3% year on year to 30.8 million and 2.1 million tonnes respectively, while flight movements climbed by 5.7% to 191,065.

The monthly figures for June also reported good year-on-year growth. Cargo volume showed strong 7.3% growth to 361,000 tonnes, passenger traffic increased 3.7% to 5.2 million, and flight movements grew by 3.9% to 31,745 compared to the same month last year.

Passenger volume in June was mainly driven by a 5% year-on-year growth in Hong Kong resident traffic. Visitor traffic and transfer/transit traffic grew by 3% and 4% respectively. Passenger traffic to and from North Asia and North America recorded the most significant increases.

The growth in cargo throughput last month was driven mainly by transshipments and exports, which were up 17% and 6% respectively from a year ago. During the month, cargo throughput to and from Mainland China and North America recorded the most significant growth, compared to other key regions.

C K Ng, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Airport Authority Hong Kong, remarked, “The sustained growth momentum of the first half of 2014 has translated into tangible gains in passenger and cargo throughput. Two passenger destinations – Seattle and Kagoshima, and one new freight destination – Mexico City, have been added to HKIA’s extensive air network during the period.

“Looking forward, we expect air traffic demand to increase moderately in the second half of the year, propelled by global economic recovery and robust regional growth, especially on the Mainland. We will continue to work closely with the airport community to maintain the highest levels of service, safety, security and efficiency,” he added.

“In addition to the positive growth, we are delighted that HKIA has been recently named ‘Best Green Airport’ at the Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awards 2014, organised by an industry publication Cargonews Asia. The award recognises HKIA’s consistent efforts to strive to become the World’s Greenest Airport,” said Mr Ng. The annual award complimented HKIA’s dedication to green initiatives, technology and staff training, particularly in compliance with green freight transport regulations set by global organisations to reduce carbon footprints.

On a rolling 12-month basis, HKIA handled 61.7 million passengers and 4.3 million tonnes of cargo, representing year-on-year growth of 6.9% and 4.6% respectively. Flight movements rose by 6.1% to 382,460.