Hong Kong International Airport Records Strong Growth in September 2024: Passenger and Cargo Traffic Climb Steadily

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) continued its upward trajectory in September 2024, reporting solid growth in both passenger and cargo operations. Despite the end of the peak summer travel season, the airport maintained robust numbers, underscoring its position as a vital hub in global aviation and logistics.

Passenger Traffic: Strong Year-on-Year Growth

HKIA handled 4.06 million passengers in September 2024, a 22.4% increase from 3.31 million passengers in September 2023. The cumulative passenger traffic for the year reached 50.81 million, reflecting a 63.5% year-on-year growth.

While this marks a slight decline from August 2024’s 4.92 million passengers (a 17.3% drop), it is consistent with typical seasonal trends as summer travel winds down. Passenger flight movements totaled 22,505, up 27.7% year-on-year, but down slightly from August’s 24,395 movements.

Cargo Handling: Stable Growth Driven by Exports

Cargo operations remained robust, with HKIA processing 414,000 tonnes of cargo in September 2024—a 10.2% year-on-year increase from 376,000 tonnes in September 2023. Loaded cargo, driven by exports, rose by 13.0% to 305,000 tonnes, while unloaded cargo grew modestly by 3.0% to 109,000 tonnes.

Compared to August 2024’s 406,000 tonnes, September saw a slight 2.0% increase, indicating stable demand in global trade. The 12-month cumulative cargo volume reached 4.82 million tonnes, a 15.9% year-on-year increase, underscoring HKIA’s resilience in the logistics sector.

Flight Movements: Consistent Activity Across Sectors

Total flight movements in September 2024 were 29,595, a 22.3% increase compared to 24,201 movements in September 2023. Cargo flight movements rose by 8.8% year-on-year, reaching 6,455 flights, while non-revenue flights slightly declined by 1.9%, totaling 635 flights.

Month-on-month, total flight movements decreased slightly from August 2024’s 31,605 flights, reflecting the seasonal slowdown.

Conclusion:

September 2024 continued HKIA’s strong recovery trajectory, with steady growth in both passenger and cargo sectors. While numbers dipped slightly compared to the peak summer months, the year-on-year increases highlight the airport’s enduring importance as a hub for international travel and trade.

As the aviation industry steadies after post-pandemic recovery, Hong Kong International Airport remains a key player, benefiting airlines like Cathay Pacific and global logistics networks. Looking ahead, HKIA is well-positioned to close the year on a high note.