Cargo throughput at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) — the world's busiest cargo hub — continued its growth trajectory in October, reporting double-digit expansion for the second straight month.

Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) released the air traffic figures in Hong Kong for October 2023 and reported a 12.1% year-on-year growth to 393,000 tonnes in October.

Las month's cargo volume is also higher than the 375,000 tonnes recorded in September and the 367,000 tonnes of cargo that the airport handled in August this year.

September's performance was up 10% year-on-year, while August' was also higher by 1.7% compared to the same period in 2022.

"Strong growth momentum of cargo throughput continued in October, rising 12.1% year on year to 393,000 tonnes," AAHK said in its announcement.

It added that exports and transshipments recorded 24.7% and 2.1% year-on-year increases, respectively.

[Source: Hong Kong International Airport]

Traffic to and from key trading regions in Europe, North America and the Middle East posted the most significant increases during the month.

Over the first 10 months of the year, cargo volume increased slightly by 0.1% to 3.5 million tonnes year-on-year.

On a 12-month rolling basis, flight movements increased by 78.7% year on year to 247,805.

Meanwhile, cargo throughput decreased by 5.6% to 4.2 million tonnes.

Cissy Chan, executive director of commercial of AAHK, noted HKIA's cargo capabilities through innovations and technologies.

"Among other new initiatives, we developed HKIA Cargo Data Platform, an integrated platform that uses technologies including blockchain and smart contracts to connect multiple parties along the supply chain for more streamlined operations and communications," Chan said.

"To support our growth strategies, we have comprehensive and advanced cold chain facilities for handling temperature-sensitive cargo. We also embrace automation technology and have introduced driverless tractors to cargo delivery on apron."

The AAHK executive noted that the airport will continue to upgrade its services and facilities to further strengthen HKIA's position as the world’s leading cargo airport.