The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has published the Annual Report 2022/23 for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023, showing a decline in cargo throughput year-on-year but still maintaining its rank as the world's busiest cargo hub.

AAHK reported that cargo throughput at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) dropped 16.0% to 4.1 million tonnes in 2022/23.

Flight movements, on the other hand, increased 11.5% to 161,160 as more flights were operated following the easing of pandemic restrictions earlier this year.

"Impacted by the global economic slowdown and disruption of the supply chain, HKIA’s cargo throughput dropped 16.0% ... Nonetheless, HKIA continued to be the world's busiest cargo airport," AAHK said in a statement.

It added that several initiatives were also done further to boost HKIA's position as a major cargo hub.

"To maintain its position as the world's leading cargo airport, a novel sea-air transhipment model has been introduced," AAHK said.

It added that by setting up HKIA Logistics Park in Dongguan and a new airside intermodal cargo pier at HKIA, the model aims to elevate the efficiency of air cargo delivery from the Greater Bay Area to destinations around the world via HKIA.

"HKIA is also adding cargo handling capacity," AAHK said, noting that DHL Express completed an expansion programme at its Central Asia Hub.

The premium logistics centre, developed by Alibaba Group's logistics arm, Cainiao Network, is also "substantially complete."

"AAHK places great importance on the environment and airport staff's well-being. AAHK has been continuing its efforts to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and assist business partners to implement carbon reduction measures," AAHK said.

Meanwhile, as pandemic-related travel restrictions were lifted in Hong Kong during the year, passenger numbers at HKIA rebounded significantly to 12.4 million representing more than seven times year-on-year increase.