AIRPORT Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) on Wednesday announced that over the first half of 2024, the passenger volume went up 52.8% to 25.3 million, compared with the same period in 2023.

Aircraft movements rose by 47.1% to 174,745 flights, while cargo throughput witnessed a substantial 17.9% growth to reach 2.4 million tons.

Passenger traffic maintained a steady recovery in June during which the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) handled 4.3 million passengers.

On July 21, passenger traffic at the HKIA saw a new height after the pandemic, recording a daily throughput of over 171,000. AAHK expected the growth in passenger volume to continue during the summer peak and the passenger traffic at the HKIA on peak days will fully recover to the pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024.

Cargo throughput maintained its rising momentum and recorded a double-digit year-on-year growth for six consecutive months in the first half of 2024, AAHK’s statistics showed.

Export cargo remained the main driver of the growth, increased by 24.9% compared to the same month last year. The cargo flow between North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia saw particularly significant growth in June.

On a 12-month rolling basis, passenger volume rose 125.9% year on year to 48.2 million, and cargo throughput reported a 14.8% increase to 4.7 million tons.(Xinhua)