Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) announced that cargo traffic figures for Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) in October showed a double-digit increase of 14.7% to 462,000 tonnes during the month compared to the same month last year.

The airport also handled 137,000 passengers and 13,995 flight movements, representing year-on-year increases of 72.6% and 28.7%, respectively.

Exports, peak season boost volumes

"The increase in cargo throughput in October was mainly attributed to a 16.5% growth in exports as well as the beginning of the traditional peak period for air cargo shipments," the major cargo hub said in a statement.

"Imports and transshipments also recorded double-digit growth. Cargo to and from North America, Southeast Asia and Europe experienced the most significant increases during the month," it added.

Meanwhile, the Airport Authority of Hong Kong noted that due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, passenger traffic remained significantly below pre-pandemic levels recorded in 2019. However, outbound transfer passengers from Mainland China to Europe recorded significant increases.

Over the first 10 months of the year, HKIA handled 1.1 million passengers and 115,415 flight movements, representing year-on-year declines of 87.6% and 14.8%, respectively.

Cargo handled rose 13.3% during the period to 4.1 million tonnes.

On a 12-month rolling basis, HKIA's cargo throughput was 4.9 million tonnes, representing a 10.2% year-on-year increase.