HKIA reveals double-digit increase in cargo traffic in September 2021

Credit: Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA)

Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) has released the traffic figures for Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) for September 2021. During the month, cargo throughput increased 17.9 per cent to 455,000 tonnes, compared to the same month in 2020.

Strong cargo demand continued in September 2021, with both imports and exports continuing to register double-digit year-on-year growth. Overall, cargo to and from North America and Southeast Asia experienced the most significant increases during the month.

Meanwhile, the airport handled 227,000 passengers and 13,920 flight movements, surging by 127.4 per cent and 32.0 per cent, respectively, from a low base during the same month in 2020.

HKIA handled a daily average of more than 7,000 passengers during the month, amounting to around 5 per cent of the pre-COVID-19 pandemic level during the same month in 2019. In September 2021, outbound transfer passengers from Mainland China to Europe and North America recorded significant increases.

Over the first nine months of 2021, cargo throughput saw 13.1 per cent growth to 3.6 million tonnes. Passenger throughput and flight movements dropped 89.0 per cent and 18.6 per cent to 941,000 passengers and 101,425, respectively.

On a 12-month rolling basis, HKIA handled 1.2 million passengers and 137,520 flight movements, recording year-on-year declines of 95.2 per cent and 39.0 per cent, respectively. Cargo throughput rose 8.3 per cent to 4.9 million tonnes.

To continuously enhance operational excellence of air cargo handling at HKIA, the AA launched the HKIA Cargo Data Platform (the Platform). Equipped with the latest smart technologies, the Platform forms a secured trusted network that connects key stakeholders along the supply chain – such as cargo terminal operators, freight forwarders, truckers, and screening facility operators. This blockchain-enabled community based platform enhances shipment traceability, unifies communication and information exchange, synchronises and standardises process workflow and enables paperless working environment. The Platform supports International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) One Record standard as aligned to the digital future of the industry on a global perspective.

Cissy Chan, Executive Director of Commercial at the AA said, “As a smart airport, the AA took an innovative step to develop a common data platform to drive the community-wide digitalisation collaboration. The successful launch of the Platform signifies a more cohesive industry ecosystem which aims to create differentiating benefits for the Hong Kong air cargo community, thereby further consolidating HKIA’s status as a leading international cargo hub.”