Hong Kong's cargo and mail volumes breach 5m tonne mark

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) handled more than 5m tonnes of cargo and airmail in 2017, the first time an airport has reached this level of throughput.

In total, HKIA saw air cargo throughput increase by 9.2% year on year to reach 4.9m tonnes, while mail volumes hit 112,000 tonnes.

Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) chief executive Fred Lam said: "This achievement is particularly remarkable as we are concurrently handling over 72m passengers annually.

"Such an accomplishment could not have been done without the support and dedicated service of our 73,000 airport community members."

In December, cargo traffic was up by 6.3% to 462,000 tonnes driven by transhipments and exports, both registering 8% year-on-year growth compared to December 2016.

Amongst the key trading regions, traffic to and from Europe and India increased most significantly during the month.

Looking ahead, the airport plans further investment in its cargo business: "In addition to the IATA CEIV Pharma Partner Airport accreditation achieved in 2017, the AA is also launching a tender to develop a premium logistics warehouse in Kwo Lo Wan to enhance the handling of e-commerce shipment," said Lam.

During the year, more than 100 airlines had been operating at HKIA, including 13 new joiners: Air Seoul, Hong Kong Air Cargo Carrier, JC (Cambodia) International Airlines, Lanmei Airlines (Cambodia), Virgin Australia, Air Japan, Air Cargo Global, CargoLogicAir, Cambodia Angkor Air, Small Planet Airlines, National Air Cargo, Sky Gates Airlines and Western Global Airlines.

Meanwhile, the air network of HKIA has also been expanded with 17 new destinations, including Baotou, Zhangjiajie, Huangshan, Yuncheng, Taitung, Komatsu, Sendai, Toowoomba, Christchurch, Yekaterinburg, Hahn in Frankfurt, Prague, Stansted in London, Verona, Warsaw, Indianapolis and Sihanoukville, adding to a total of over 220 destinations.

Earlier today, it was announced that Mark Whitehead of ground handler Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited will leave the position after eight years.