HKIA’s December 2024 Air Traffic Report: Passenger and Cargo Growth Takes Flight

The following is a detailed summary of the provisional civil international air traffic statistics for Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) for December 2024, as provided in the official data release. This report focuses on passenger numbers, cargo handled, and flight movements, with comparisons to December 2023, the period since April 2024, and the past 12 months. All figures are rounded, and percentage changes reflect the difference from the same period in the previous year.

1. Passenger Statistics

• December 2024 Total: 5,106,000 passengers
• December 2023 Total: 4,316,000 passengers
• Change: +18.3%
• Since April 2024 (Apr 2024–Dec 2024): 40,363,000 passengers, +24.2%
• Past 12 Months (Jan 2024–Dec 2024): 53,054,000 passengers, +34.3%

Passenger numbers at HKIA in December 2024 increased by 18.3% compared to December 2023. Over the past 12 months, a total of 53,054,000 passengers were recorded, marking a 34.3% rise. For the period from April 2024 to December 2024, the airport handled 40,363,000 passengers, up 24.2%. These figures include originating, terminating, transfer, and transit passengers, with transfer and transit passengers counted twice.

2. Cargo Handled (Tonnes)

• December 2024 Total: 442,000 tonnes
  • Unloaded: 115,000 tonnes, +2.4% (from 112,000 tonnes in Dec 2023)
  • Loaded: 332,000 tonnes, +8.2% (from 307,000 tonnes in Dec 2023)
• December 2023 Total: 419,000 tonnes
• Change: +6.8%
• Since April 2024: 3,807,000 tonnes, +12.3%
• Past 12 Months: 4,938,000 tonnes, +14.0%

Cargo handled at HKIA in December 2024 amounted to 442,000 tonnes, a 6.8% increase from December 2023. Unloaded cargo rose by 2.4%, while loaded cargo increased by 8.2%. Over the past 12 months, the total cargo handled was 4,938,000 tonnes, up 14.0%. Since April 2024, 3,807,000 tonnes were recorded, a rise of 12.3%. Cargo figures include imports, exports, and transshipments, with transshipments counted twice.

3. Flight Movements

• December 2024 Total: 33,550 movements
  • Passenger Flights: 25,650, +15.2% (from 22,265 in Dec 2023)
  • Cargo Flights: 6,995, +2.7% (from 6,810 in Dec 2023)
  • Non-revenue Flights: 905, +19.4% (from 758 in Dec 2023)
• December 2023 Total: 29,833 movements
• Change: +12.5%
• Since April 2024: 277,075 movements, +24.0%
• Past 12 Months: 363,905 movements, +31.6%

Flight movements in December 2024 totaled 33,550, a 12.5% increase from December 2023. Passenger flights increased by 15.2%, cargo flights by 2.7%, and non-revenue flights by 19.4%. Over the past 12 months, flight movements reached 363,905, a 31.6% rise. Since April 2024, the total was 277,075 movements, up 24.0%. These figures include civil international passenger, cargo, and non-revenue flights, excluding military and local flights.

Conclusion

The December 2024 air traffic statistics for HKIA demonstrate consistent growth across all categories. Passenger numbers increased by 34.3% over the past 12 months, cargo handled rose by 14.0%, and flight movements grew by 31.6% over the same period, primarily driven by passenger flights. These figures underscore HKIA’s position as a key international aviation hub.

Notes on Data

• Percentage changes reflect comparisons with the same period in the previous year.
• Passenger and cargo figures are rounded to the nearest 1,000, and flight movements to the nearest 5.
• Totals include transfer and transit passengers (counted twice) and transshipment cargo (counted twice).
• Figures may not add up precisely due to rounding.