Dragonair's January 2005 figures increase over 2004

Dragonair recorded year-on-year increases in both passenger numbers and cargo volumes in January 2005, up 1.6% and 56.4% respectively.

“Year-on-year we flew more passengers and cargo than in January 2004,” said Dragonair CEO Stanley Hui.

“The result was especially pleasing on the passenger side, as we were able to surpass the figure set in a month when the Lunar New Year holiday fell last year. Individual travel primarily for business remained strong in January this year, reflecting the improved economic environment.”

Month-on-month passenger numbers slipped 14.1%, from 394,577 to 338,903. “This was in line with the usual trend after the Christmas and New Year holidays,” Mr. Hui noted.

Cargo, meanwhile, posted a year-on-year growth of 56.4%. 

“The growth was partly a reflection of the increased freighter services we now have, following on from a fourth freighter being introduced for additional services to Europe in mid-2004 and a wet-leased A300B4 operating regional services to China Mainland cities,” said Mr Hui. “Clearly the cargo market in the Mainland and Hong Kong has continued to grow on the back of strong international trade.

“The robust showing was also a reflection of the fact that the Lunar New Year fell in January last year, and shipments from the Mainland during and after the Lunar holidays always decline significantly.”

Month-on-month cargo volumes dropped 12.6% to 29,759 tonnes. Again, this was in line with normal seasonal trends, Mr. Hui said.

“We are expecting February, with the Lunar New Year holiday, to see a spike in passenger numbers, while cargo shipments should fall back, in line with what we have in the same period in the past.”

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