Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) said cargo volumes continue to bounce back, driven by a strong e-commerce demand.

It said that in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, throughput reached 4.5 million tonnes, a 9.1% increase from last year — as the airport maintained its position as the world’s busiest cargo airport in 2023.

"Air cargo was supported by strong e-commerce demand," the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) said in a statement, as it published HKIA's annual report 2023/2024.

Hong Kong is also betting on its Three-runway System (3RS) — which will be completed and commissioned by the end of 2024 — to help boost volumes further.

AAHK said with all three runways operating, it will increase HKIA's annual capacity to 10 million tonnes of cargo, supporting the long-term growth of Hong Kong's aviation industry and strengthening the airport's position as a leading international hub.

To reinforce its position as the world's leading cargo airport, AAHK also launched a pilot scheme for sea-air intermodal transshipments between Dongguan and HKIA, followed by an agreement signed with Dongguan Port Group to establish a joint venture to develop HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park.

"HKIA continuously enlarges its cargo handling capacity," AAHK said.

It noted that the Alibaba Group's premium logistics centre, for example, will be Alibaba's hub for Asia. It also cited the recent expansion of DHL's Central Asia Hub which increased the facility's capacity by 50%.

Meanwhile, AAHK noted that UPS' new hub for express cargo is expected to open in 2028.

AAHK noted that it has also been continuing its efforts to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, with measures including electrifying airside light goods vehicles, as well as expanding the ground services equipment pooling scheme.

In terms of passengers, AAHK said passenger numbers and flight movements rose 264.5% and 92.1%, respectively, to 45.2 million and 309,650.

"Passenger numbers during recent peaks and flight movements have recovered to 80% of the pre-pandemic level and are on track to full recovery by the end of 2024," the announcement said.