Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) reported a 12.7% year-on-year increase in cargo volumes for October, handling 442,000 tonnes. Growth was primarily driven by a 15.6% rise in export traffic, with significant increases in cargo traffic to and from Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, according to Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK).
For the first ten months of 2024, cargo volumes climbed 15.4% year-on-year to 4.03 million tonnes. On a 12-month rolling basis, throughput rose 15.9% to 4.9 million tonnes.
Preparing for Three-Runway Operations
The airport is finalizing preparations for its three-runway system, which will be fully operational next month. The third runway, first announced in 2015 and opened in July 2022, marks the centerpiece of a broader expansion project.
Key upgrades include:
- Reconfiguring the existing north runway.
- Expanding Terminal 2 and building the T2 Concourse.
- Enhancing apron capacity and other airport infrastructure.
This expansion is expected to attract more freighter carriers, boosting HKIA’s cargo capacity further.
Cathay Group Welcomes Expansion
Cathay Pacific, alongside HK Express, plans to increase flights and destinations to align with the runway expansion. Cathay Group CEO Ronald Lam stated:
“The introduction of the Three-Runway System is a landmark moment, ushering in a new era for our home hub and its aviation industry. With Cathay’s rebuild complete, we can firmly focus on the future.”
This milestone reinforces HKIA’s position as a leading global cargo hub while marking a significant step forward for Hong Kong’s aviation industry.