Hong Kong reported that cargo volumes dropped again in June, the third straight month of decline recorded, as persisting challenges to the supply chain continue to drag performance.

The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) said during the month, cargo throughput at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) reached 363,000 tonnes representing a 9% drop year-on-year.

This is also slightly lower than the 365,000 tonnes recorded in May which was also 9.7% lower compared to its performance in May 2021.

HKIA — the world's busiest cargo hub — saw cargo volumes in April record a 2.8% decrease year-on-year to 375,000 tonnes after increases in cargo volumes were reported from January to March.

For June, AAHK noted that flight movements increased by 1.2% to 11,175 compared to the same month last year as more passenger flights were operated amid the global easing of pandemic restrictions.

"Disruptions to global supply chains caused by the pandemic and continuing geopolitical tensions in Europe led to the overall decline in cargo volume," AAHK said in a statement, adding that exports registered a year-on-year decrease of 10% for the period.

"Cargo traffic to and from key trading regions in Europe and North America saw the most significant drops," AAHK further said.

Over the first six months of the year, the airport handled 2.1 million tonnes of cargo and 62,155 flight movements, also representing decreases of 8.2% and 1.1%, respectively.

Meanwhile, on a 12-month rolling basis, HKIA handled 4.8 million tonnes of cargo and 144,150 flight movements, representing increases of 2.6% and 11.5%, respectively.

For June, HKIA also reported that the airport handled 295,000 passengers representing a surge of 254.1% over June 2021 despite passenger volume remaining significantly below pre-pandemic levels. This is higher than the 170,000 recorded in May.

"Following the relaxation of inbound travel and transfer/ transit measures, all passenger segments – including Hong Kong residents, visitors, and transfer/ transit passengers – experienced significant year-on-year growth in June compared to the same month last year," AAHK said.

It added that passenger traffic to and from Southeast Asia saw the largest increase.