Hong Kong Airport cargo volumes up as it readies for three-runway system launch
26 / 11 / 2024
Photo: HKIA
Hong Kong International Airport reported a 12.7% year on year increase in cargo volumes in October as it prepares to introduce its three-runway system.
Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) reported 442,000 tonnes of cargo in October. Growth was driven by export traffic, said AAHK.
“Export traffic remains the main driver of the growth, inclined by 15.6% compared to the same month last year,” said AAHK. “Amongst key trading regions, cargo traffic to and from Europe, Southeast Asia and Middle East increased most significantly in the month.”
For the first ten months of the year, cargo volume rose by 15.4% year on year to 4.03m tonnes. On a 12-month rolling basis, cargo throughput grew by 15.9% to 4.9m tonnes.
Alongside this growth, the airport is in the final stages of preparations for its three-runway system operations.
First announced in March 2015, the 3,800m-long third runway was opened in July 2022. However, due to other development projects in addition to the runway, next month will be the first time that all three runways will be simultaneously operational. The expansion is expected to result in the airport attracting more freighter carriers – and therefore cargo.
Other initiatives within the wider project have included reconfiguring the existing north runway; expanding terminal 2; building the T2 Concourse and an associated apron; and building other associated airport support infrastructure, road network and transportation facilities.
Cathay Pacific said it would, alongside HK Express, continue to add more flights and destinations for its customers.
Cathay Group chief executive Ronald Lam said: “The introduction of the Three-Runway System will be a landmark moment for Hong Kong, one that ushers in a new era of possibilities for our home hub and its aviation industry. On behalf of Cathay, I would like to congratulate the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Airport Authority Hong Kong for this significant achievement.
“I am particularly pleased that the successful completion of Cathay’s rebuild coincides with the opening of the Three-Runway System. We can now truly put the pandemic behind us and firmly focus on the future.”
