Hong Kong International Airport’s June 2024 Traffic: Passenger Surge and Strong Cargo Growth Mark Another Positive Month

June 2024 saw continued growth at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), with both passenger and cargo traffic registering solid year-on-year gains. As the airport stabilizes after the pandemic-induced fluctuations, the figures show HKIA’s key role in supporting global travel and trade. Here’s a breakdown of the latest numbers and how they compare to the previous month and year.

Passenger Traffic: Robust Growth in a Post-Pandemic World

HKIA handled 4.29 million passengers in June 2024, a 29.1% increase compared to June 2023’s 3.32 million. The airport’s cumulative passenger traffic over the past 12 months reached 48.23 million, representing a year-on-year growth of 125.9%.

While the numbers show continued strength, the month-on-month comparison with May 2024’s 4.07 million passengers reflects a 5.3% increase, indicating a steady rise as international travel normalizes.

Passenger flight movements for June 2024 totaled 22,345, marking a 39.9% increase from June 2023. This figure is slightly higher than May 2024’s 22,600 flights, showing that demand for passenger travel remains high.

Cargo Handling: Strong Export Performance Fuels Growth

HKIA’s cargo handling in June 2024 continued its upward trend, with 417,000 tonnes of cargo processed, a 17.6% increase compared to June 2023. This figure is nearly unchanged from May 2024’s 416,000 tonnes, showing consistent demand.

Loaded cargo continues to lead the charge, increasing by 22.7% to 309,000 tonnes, reflecting strong export activity. Meanwhile, unloaded cargo showed a modest 5.1% increase, signaling a recovery in import volumes.

Over the past 12 months, HKIA has handled 4.69 million tonnes of cargo, marking a 14.8% year-on-year growth, underscoring the airport’s critical role in supporting the Asia-Pacific logistics network.

Flight Movements: Steady Recovery Across the Board

In June 2024, HKIA recorded 29,590 total flight movements, up 32.3% from June 2023’s 22,372 movements. Passenger flight movements saw a notable rise of 39.9%, while cargo flight movements grew by 13.5%, reaching 6,510 flights. These figures align with the steady recovery in both passenger and cargo operations seen throughout the year.

Comparison with May 2024:

• Passenger Traffic: June saw 4.29 million passengers, up from May’s 4.07 million, marking a 5.3% month-on-month increase. This growth signals continued demand for international travel as pandemic restrictions ease.
• Cargo Handling: Cargo volumes remained steady in June, totaling 417,000 tonnes, nearly identical to May’s 416,000 tonnes. However, loaded cargo continues to drive growth with a 22.7% year-on-year increase.
• Flight Movements: June’s 29,590 flights reflect a 32.3% year-on-year growth, a slight dip from May’s 29,855 flights, but both passenger and cargo flight movements remain healthy.

Conclusion:

June 2024 at Hong Kong International Airport underscores the resilience of the global aviation and logistics industries. The steady increase in passenger traffic and strong performance in cargo handling reflect HKIA’s critical role as an aviation and freight hub. With Cathay Pacific and other key carriers capitalizing on this recovery, the outlook for the rest of 2024 remains promising.

As HKIA continues to navigate the post-pandemic landscape, its sustained growth in both travel and trade confirms its importance as a leading international gateway in the Asia-Pacific region.