Hong Kong International Airport’s (HKIA) passenger and cargo figures declined in double-digit terms in August 2019 as mass protests staged at the airport compounded the troubles of the air hub.
During the month, HKIA handled 6.0 million passengers and 382,000 tonnes of cargo, representing year-on-year declines of 12.4% and 11.5%, respectively, according to figures published by Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA).
The drop in passenger volume was mainly attributable to a decrease in visitor traffic. Passenger traffic to and from mainland China, Southeast Asia and Taiwan experienced significant declines compared to August 2018.
Amid global trade uncertainties, cargo volume continued to contract in August. Transshipments and imports declined by 19% and 15% year-on-year, respectively. The figures for Southeast Asia and mainland China decreased most significantly among key trading regions.
During the month, airport and flight operations were disrupted by public assemblies at the airport on a number of days.
C K Ng, executive director, airport operations of the AA, said, “In the past few months, there have been huge challenges to airport operations at times. Thanks to the concerted efforts of the airport community, we managed to maintain normal operations and minimise impact on travellers.”
Over the first eight months of the year, HKIA handled 50.6 million passengers, up just 0.3% compared to the same period last year. Cargo throughput recorded 3.08 million, down 7.4% compared to the same period last year.
On a 12-month rolling basis, passenger volume grew by 0.4% to 74.8 million, while cargo throughput recorded 4.9 million tonnes, a decrease of 5.3% year-on-year.
Photo By Wpcpey
