2010 a Record Year for HKIA

Hong Kong International Airport set new annual records in each of its three traffic categories in 2010.

During the year, passenger traffic grew to 50.9 million, a 10.3% increase over 2009; cargo increased 23.4% to 4.1 million tonnes; and air traffic movements rose 9.7% to 306,535.

Cross-boundary traffic by land and sea also set new annual records. Cross-boundary passenger trips via coach and limousine registered a yearly increase of 32.2% to 1.7 million, while the SkyPier ferry terminal handled 2.2 million passengers to and from the Pearl River Delta, up 23.8% year on year.

Stanley Hui Hon-chung, Chief Executive Officer of Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA), said, "We are proud to have achieved a record-breaking year in 2010 on the back of the strong economic performance of the Mainland and Hong Kong following the financial tsunami in late 2008. This further reinforces HKIA's position as a leading international and regional aviation centre, and a preferred gateway to the Mainland."

The year 2010 also saw nine new airlines operating flights and routes to HKIA, the launch of new facilities and capacity enhancement. These included the official openings of the North Satellite Concourse and SkyPier, as well as increase in capacity to the baggage handling system.

In December, HKIA handled 4.4 million passengers and 362,000 tonnes of cargo, representing year-on-year growth of 6.4% and 10.1% respectively. During the same period, air traffic movements reached a monthly high of 27,725, up 14.5%.

Passenger growth in December was mainly driven by visitor traffic, which registered an 8% increase over the same month in 2009. Passenger traffic to and from South East Asia and the Mainland performed particularly well. During December both Hong Kong residents and transfer / transit passengers grew by 5% year on year.

Meanwhile, a 21% surge in transshipments, an 8% increase in exports and a 7% rise in imports compared to December 2009 all contributed to the growth in cargo tonnage. North America and Europe were particularly strong, each registering double-digit year-on-year growth.

"HKIA has gone from strength to strength since its opening, and we are looking forward to leading the airport into its next phase of development," Mr Hui added. "Signs of continuing robust market demand lead us to anticipate further growth in 2011, which will likely be single-digit because of the high base achieved in 2010. At the same time, and in partnership with the entire airport community, we will ensure that our facilities and services are maintained at world-class levels in order to continue providing our passengers with an enjoyable travel experience at HKIA."

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