Hong Kong International Airport’s May 2024 Traffic: Passenger Numbers Hold Steady While Cargo Handling Climbs

In May 2024, Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) experienced sustained growth in passenger and cargo traffic, marking a continued recovery for the aviation hub. Both metrics saw year-on-year increases, with cargo handling showing a particularly strong performance. However, compared to April 2024, the growth rates reflect a stabilization as demand returns to pre-pandemic levels.

Passenger Traffic: Consistent Growth, Slower Than April

HKIA recorded 4.07 million passengers in May 2024, a 30.8% increase compared to May 2023, when 3.11 million passengers passed through the airport. This follows April’s performance of 4.23 million passengers, indicating a slight month-on-month decline of 3.8%.

In the last 12 months, the airport handled 47.27 million passengers, a significant 157.9% rise compared to the previous year, showcasing the sustained rebound in international travel. Passenger flight movements for May 2024 increased by 42.8% year-on-year to 22,600, slightly higher than April’s 22,100.

Cargo Handling: Strong Gains in Loaded Cargo

Cargo operations at HKIA performed particularly well in May 2024, with the airport processing 416,000 tonnes of cargo, an increase of 19.0% from May 2023. Loaded cargo saw the most notable growth, rising by 25.9% to 312,000 tonnes, while unloaded cargo experienced a modest 2.2% rise.

Compared to April 2024, which saw 394,000 tonnes of cargo, May saw an increase of 5.6%, driven by strong export demand. Over the past 12 months, HKIA has handled 4.63 million tonnes of cargo, reflecting 13.1% year-on-year growth.

Flight Movements: Steady Increase in Both Passenger and Cargo Flights

Flight movements continued to rise steadily in May 2024, with 29,855 total flights recorded, representing a 34.5% increase from May 2023. This also shows a slight uptick compared to April’s 29,055 flights.

Cargo flight movements increased by 15.8% year-on-year, reaching 6,610 in May, with month-on-month growth of 5.2% compared to April. Passenger flight movements similarly rose, up 42.8% from May 2023.

Comparison with April 2024:

• Passenger Traffic: May’s 4.07 million passengers reflects a slight decline from April’s 4.23 million, but year-on-year growth remains strong.
• Cargo Handling: Cargo volumes in May totaled 416,000 tonnes, up from April’s 394,000 tonnes. Loaded cargo led the charge, showing continued strength in exports.
• Flight Movements: May saw 29,855 total flights, a slight increase from April’s 29,055. Cargo and passenger flights both saw moderate month-on-month growth.

Conclusion:

May 2024 at Hong Kong International Airport underscores the ongoing recovery of global air travel and trade. While passenger numbers showed a minor month-on-month decline, the overall year-on-year growth remains robust. Meanwhile, cargo operations continue to thrive, with strong export activity driving gains in loaded cargo.

As HKIA maintains its role as a critical gateway for Asia-Pacific travel and logistics, airlines like Cathay Pacific are poised to benefit from the consistent recovery in both passenger and freight operations. This steady growth positions Hong Kong’s aviation industry for continued success through the rest of 2024.