Hong Kong International airport (HKIA) continued to set new annual records for passenger traffic, flight movements, and cargo volume for the fiscal 2017/18 period, which ended on 31 March.
During the year, the airport handled 73.6 million passengers, representing a 4.5% year-on-year increase.
Cargo volume saw strong growth of 7.6% to 5.1 million tonnes, while flight movements increased 3.2% to 423,400.
Its network added nine new destinations, while 13 new carriers began services into Hong Kong. These include Air Seoul, Lanmei Airlines, Shandong Airlines, and Virgin Australia, raising the number of operators flying to Hong Kong to "more than 120".
To address demand in the short- and medium-term period until the airport's three-runway system (3RS) enters service, HKIA has started expansion works to its Terminal 1 building, which will feature new check-in counters, baggage carousels, and a bridge linking the terminal and its north satellite concourse being added.
The 3RS project began construction in August 2016, with HKIA stressing the project "has been progressing well".
In addition to the terminal expansion, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZMB) will soon open, which HKIA says will boost its regional hub role.
Construction on an intermodal transfer terminal facility has also started, which will be linked to the territory's boundary crossing facility through a vehicular bridge. Scheduled for completion in 2022, the facility will eliminate the need for air passengers arriving or departing via HZMB to clear immigration in Hong Kong.
"HKIA is at the heart of Hong Kong’s economy, driving the development of our pillar industries. Without an efficient airport, our city would not have achieved its current level of success. We are committed to HKIA’s continuous development to meet the aviation needs of this part of the world," says chairman of Airport Authority Hong Kong, Jack So.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
