Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department: The airport passenger traffic in December 2024 increased by 18.3% year-on-year to 5.1 million persons.
22/01/2025
GMT Eight
On January 21, according to the Hong Kong Airport Authority, in December 2024, the passenger volume increased by 18.3% year-on-year to 5.1 million. Compared to the same month last year, all categories of passenger volume recorded significant increases, with the most pronounced growth in travel to and from Southeast Asia, mainland China, and Japan. Within the month, the cargo volume increased by 6.6% year-on-year to 446,000 tons, with export cargo volume recording a 6.8% increase, with the largest increases seen in trade with Europe, the Middle East, and Australasia. The export cargo volume in 2024 increased by 20.2%, driving overall cargo volume growth for the year, with the most significant growth seen in trade with Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
Data shows that with Hong Kong International Airport entering a new era of three-runway operations in 2024, the airport's air traffic volume grew vigorously, with the aircraft movements in December increasing by 12.5% year-on-year to 33,550 aircraft movements, approaching pre-pandemic levels, and with certain individual days' aircraft movements even surpassing pre-pandemic levels, setting new records.
Throughout the year, the airport's passenger volume reached 53.1 million, and aircraft movements reached 363,305, representing jumps of approximately 34.3% and 31.6% compared to 2023. The total cargo volume for 2024 increased by 14.0% year-on-year to 4.9 million tons.
The Acting CEO of the Hong Kong Airport Authority, Vivian Cheung, stated: "2024 was a fruitful year for Hong Kong International Airport. The three-runway system was completed on time and within budget, and was commissioned in November. The airport was also selected as the world's busiest cargo airport for the 13th time since 2010. The airport was very busy during the Christmas period, and we are prepared to welcome another peak in travel during the Lunar New Year holiday, with many airlines adding numerous flights to meet the high demand."
It was reported that Hong Kong International Airport is further expanding its vast air traffic network, with multiple airlines offering new routes to and from the airport in January 2025. HK Express launched a new route to Sendai, Japan; Hong Kong Airlines resumed direct flights to Vancouver, Canada, and the Gold Coast, Australia; Shenzhen Airlines introduced a new service to Nanjing, while the new passenger airline Air Premia began operating flights between Hong Kong and Seoul, South Korea.