SHENZHEN Bao’an International Airport rose to 19th place on Airports Council International (ACI) World’s list of the world’s 20 busiest air cargo hubs for 2024.

Three airports from the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) — Hong Kong, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen — made the top 20. Hong Kong International Airport topped the list for the 14th consecutive year, handling 4.94 million tons of cargo in 2024. Guangzhou Baiyun climbed to ninth with 2.38 million tons.

Shenzhen recorded the fastest cargo growth among China’s major airports, moving 1.88 million tons of cargo and mail in 2024, a year‑on‑year increase of 17.6%.

The surge was driven by rising demand from Shenzhen’s leading technology firms, including Huawei, DJI, ZTE, BYD, and Honor, which generate steady flows of high‑value, time‑sensitive shipments of semiconductors, smart devices, electric vehicles, drones, and biopharma products. The airport now operates international cargo routes to 43 destinations across 25 countries and regions on five continents.

The ACI World ranking covered three major categories: passenger traffic, air cargo volumes, and aircraft movements.

According to the list, global air cargo rebounded strongly to 127 million tons in 2024, up 9.9% year on year. The top 20 airports handled 52.2 million tons, or 41% of the world total.

Chinese airports showed notable growth, aided by expanding e‑commerce and increased aircraft movements that boosted belly‑cargo capacity. In addition to the three GBA hubs, Shanghai Pudong and Taipei Taoyuan also made the top 20. Together, these five airports moved 15.25 million tonnes — 29% of the top‑20 volume and nearly 12% of global throughput.

Regionally, Europe’s cargo hubs slipped, with only Paris and Frankfurt remaining in the top 20. Middle Eastern airports such as Doha returned to pre‑pandemic positions, while U.S. results were mixed. Cincinnati advanced its rank, supported by robust e‑commerce activity and major logistics hubs for Amazon and DHL.

ACI World projects that global cargo volumes will reach about 126 million tons by the end of 2025.

(Tang Li)