OREANDA-NEWS. Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) today welcomed its 60 millionth passenger of the year in a commemoration ceremony, marking another significant milestone in traffic performance. Fuelled by strong air traffic demand, annual cargo volume and aircraft movements are also set to achieve new records this year.

The ceremony was officiated by Fred Lam, Chief Executive Officer of Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA), and Dr Peter Lam Kin-ngok, Chairman of Hong Kong Tourism Board, accompanied by various business partners from the airport community and related industry bodies.

Mr Fred Lam remarked at the ceremony, "We are very proud that HKIA is one of the very few airports in the world that ranks near the top in both passenger and cargo volumes. In only four years' time, our passenger volume has surged 20% from 50 million in 2010 to a new milestone of 60 million today. Special thanks go to the over 65,000-strong airport community. Without their dedication and hard work, HKIA would never have been able to become one of the world's busiest and finest airports."

Also attending the ceremony, Dr Peter Lam said, "By happy coincidence, visitor arrivals to Hong Kong also hit a new record this year, reaching almost 60 million. As Hong Kong is facing fierce competition from other destinations in the region, the record achieved today is a reminder for all of us in the tourism trade that we must continue to innovate and come up with new experiences for our visitors. Hong Kong Tourism Board looks forward to working with the AA and other industry partners to continue to give our city's visitors enjoyable experiences."

At the ceremony, the 60 millionth passenger, Jeffrey Cheung, flying from Manchester to Hong Kong on 14 December, was presented with 48 welcome gifts with a total value of over HKUSD 180,000 sponsored by a few long term airport business partners. The gifts include two roundtrip business-class air tickets sponsored by Cathay Pacific, merchandises from popular shopping categories amongst HKIA passengers sponsored by DFS, beauty products sponsored by the EstЁ¦e Lauder Group, a dinner sponsored by Select Service Partner Hong Kong as well as HKUSD 6,000 cash coupons from the AA.

As we celebrate the record passenger volume, it is expected air traffic demand will continue to grow in the coming years.

"Our strong traffic growth has exceeded the forecasts made in the HKIA Master Plan 2030 by one to three years. As a result, we have taken necessary steps to ensure adequate capacity to meet future demand over the medium and long terms, including the proposed expansion of the airport into a three-runway system (3RS)," Mr Fred Lam added. "Last month, we received the green light for the Environmental Impact Assessment of the 3RS. We will be completing other necessary statutory requirements in the coming months, with a target of having the 3RS in full operation in 2023."

HKIA is a major gateway connecting Hong Kong, Mainland China and the rest of the world, playing a crucial role of strategic and economic significance to the city. Currently, HKIA is connected to about 180 destinations worldwide, including 44 destinations in the Mainland, providing about 1,100 daily flights through over 100 airlines.