Hong Kong International Airport Caps 2024 with Record Passenger and Cargo Traffic in December

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) ended 2024 on a high note, with robust passenger and cargo growth recorded in December. This strong finish to the year highlights HKIA’s pivotal role in global aviation and trade, solidifying its status as one of the busiest hubs in the world.

Passenger Traffic: A Year-End Surge

HKIA handled 5.11 million passengers in December 2024, an 18.3% increase compared to 4.32 million passengers in December 2023. This is the highest monthly passenger figure for the year, showcasing the demand for travel during the holiday season.

For the 12-month cumulative passenger traffic, the airport reached 53.05 million, reflecting a 34.3% year-on-year increase. Compared to November 2024’s 4.44 million passengers, December recorded a 15.1% month-on-month increase, underscoring the impact of year-end travel.

Passenger flight movements followed a similar trend, rising to 25,650 flights, a 15.2% year-on-year increase and a 11.8% month-on-month increase from November’s 22,950 flights.

Cargo Handling: Strong Seasonal Demand

Cargo operations remained robust, with HKIA processing 446,000 tonnes of cargo in December 2024, a 6.6% increase compared to 419,000 tonnes in December 2023. Loaded cargo, reflecting export demand, rose by 8.2% to 332,000 tonnes, while unloaded cargo increased by 2.4% to 115,000 tonnes.

Month-on-month, December saw a 1.3% decline from November 2024’s 458,000 tonnes, reflecting a slight seasonal adjustment after earlier surges. The 12-month cumulative cargo volume reached 4.94 million tonnes, a 14.0% year-on-year increase, cementing HKIA’s significance in global trade.

Flight Movements: Record Highs Across Sectors

Total flight movements in December 2024 hit 33,550, a 12.5% increase compared to 29,833 movements in December 2023. This also marked a 7.9% month-on-month increase from November 2024’s 31,105 flights.

Cargo flight movements grew by 2.7% year-on-year to 6,995 flights, while non-revenue flights increased by 19.4%, reaching 905 flights, reflecting heightened operations during the holiday season.

Comparison Summary:

• Passengers: December 2024 recorded 5.11 million passengers, a 15.1% increase from November and an 18.3% rise year-on-year.
• Cargo: Cargo volumes reached 446,000 tonnes, a 1.3% decline from November but a 6.6% year-on-year increase.
• Flights: Total flight movements reached 33,550, an 11.8% increase from November and a 12.5% rise year-on-year.

Conclusion:

December 2024 was a record-setting month for Hong Kong International Airport, with robust passenger and cargo performance driving its strongest finish yet. The year-end surge highlights HKIA’s continued importance as a global hub for travelers and trade.

As the airport looks ahead to 2025, its sustained growth reflects the recovery and expansion of the aviation and logistics industries, benefiting airlines like Cathay Pacific and solidifying HKIA’s role as a leading international gateway.