Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) reported solid growth in cargo traffic in July 2025, reaffirming its position as one of the world’s busiest and most critical air freight hubs.
The airport handled 430,000 tonnes of cargo, up 3.9% year-on-year, fueled primarily by stronger demand on routes to and from Europe and the Middle East, which helped offset weaker volumes to North America.
For the first seven months of the year, HKIA recorded 2.83 million tonnes, a 2.2% year-on-year increase. On a 12-month rolling basis, throughput grew 5.4% to nearly 5 million tonnes.
Expanding Cargo Network
Airport authorities noted that HKIA’s growth is supported by airlines restoring suspended routes and launching new destinations. Recent additions include:
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Europe: Munich, Rome, Brussels
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Southeast Asia: Subang
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Mainland China: Yiwu, Datong
This expansion strengthens HKIA’s role as a key global logistics hub, linking Asia with major consumer and manufacturing markets across the globe.
How HKIA Compares with Regional Rivals
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Incheon International Airport (Seoul): While not matching HKIA’s volumes, Incheon remains among the world’s top five cargo airports, backed by strong infrastructure and expansion ambitions.
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Singapore Changi Airport: Changi processed 1.99 million tonnes in 2024, far below HKIA’s scale, though it remains a critical Southeast Asia cargo gateway.
Global Freight Leadership
Despite softer demand in some markets, HKIA continues to dominate transpacific and intra-Asia freight, maintaining a clear lead over regional competitors and reinforcing its reputation as a global air cargo powerhouse.