July 2024 at Hong Kong International Airport: Passenger Numbers Soar as Cargo Growth Continues

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) delivered another strong performance in July 2024, with substantial year-on-year increases in both passenger and cargo traffic. The month saw impressive gains, solidifying HKIA’s position as a global hub for both travel and logistics.

Passenger Traffic: A Summer Surge

July 2024 saw 4.76 million passengers pass through HKIA, marking a 24.7% increase from 3.82 million passengers in July 2023. This surge highlights the ongoing recovery in global travel, with demand for international flights reaching new highs as pandemic restrictions fade into memory.

The 12-month total passenger traffic reached 49.17 million, reflecting a 98.5% year-on-year increase, nearly doubling from the previous year. Compared to June 2024, which saw 4.29 million passengers, July experienced a 10.9% month-on-month rise, driven by peak summer travel.

Passenger flight movements also rose, with 24,035 flights recorded in July 2024—a 36.0% increase from July 2023. This growth outpaced June’s 22,345 passenger flights, demonstrating the ongoing rise in demand for air travel.

Cargo Handling: Steady Growth Driven by Exports

Cargo handling at HKIA in July 2024 was equally strong, with 414,000 tonnes processed—an increase of 14.6% from July 2023. Loaded cargo continued to lead the way, rising by 16.0% to 299,000 tonnes, reflecting robust export demand. Unloaded cargo saw a notable growth of 11.3%, bringing the total to 115,000 tonnes.

The 12-month total cargo volume hit 4.74 million tonnes, showing a 15.7% year-on-year increase. The figures demonstrate the resilience of global trade, with HKIA maintaining its role as a key logistics hub. Compared to June 2024’s 417,000 tonnes, July saw a slight 0.7% decline, indicating a stabilization in cargo volumes after a period of rapid growth.

Flight Movements: A Continued Upward Trend

Total flight movements in July 2024 reached 31,100, up 29.3% from July 2023’s 24,044. This growth reflects the combined increase in both passenger and cargo flights as demand for air travel and freight continues to climb.

Cargo flight movements grew by 11.6%, reaching 6,490 flights, while non-revenue flights remained stable at 575 flights, up 2.9% from the previous year. Compared to June 2024’s 29,590 flights, July saw an increase of 5.1% month-on-month.

Comparison with June 2024:

• Passenger Traffic: July saw 4.76 million passengers, up from 4.29 million in June—a 10.9% increase due to peak summer travel demand.
• Cargo Handling: July’s 414,000 tonnes of cargo was nearly level with June’s 417,000 tonnes, indicating stable trade volumes with minor fluctuations.
• Flight Movements: July saw 31,100 flights, an increase of 5.1% over June’s 29,590 flights. Both passenger and cargo flights contributed to this growth.

Conclusion:

July 2024 at Hong Kong International Airport marked another month of strong growth, with both passenger and cargo traffic reflecting the continued recovery of global aviation and trade. The summer travel season brought a significant rise in passenger numbers, while cargo operations maintained their robust performance, driven by export demand.

As one of Asia’s busiest hubs, HKIA continues to thrive, supporting both Cathay Pacific and a range of international carriers and logistics companies. With sustained growth expected in the second half of 2024, the airport is poised to maintain its position as a leading gateway for both travelers and goods.