In this undated photo, a jet taxies at Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok in the New Territories. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
Hong Kong International Airport is predicting a continuous upsurge in inbound passenger numbers during the National Day “golden holiday” period on the heels of a strong performance in August, airport officials said on Monday in a written reply to China Daily.
The airport had announced on Sunday that the daily average passenger numbers in August increased to about 130,000, or about 66 percent of pre-pandemic levels. Furthermore, the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) provided an optimistic outlook for passenger traffic, saying it expects that the volume of travelers passing through the city’s airport will gradually recover to about 80 percent of pre-pandemic levels by year-end, with a full recovery expected by next year.
Hong Kong International Airport further solidified its position as a global aviation hub by earning the titles of “Asia’s Leading Airport 2023” and “China’s Leading Airport 2023” in the 30th World Travel Awards
Additionally, Hong Kong International Airport further solidified its position as a global aviation hub by earning the titles of “Asia’s Leading Airport 2023” and “China’s Leading Airport 2023” in the 30th World Travel Awards, announced on Sunday.
“We have introduced an array of new facilities, services and technologies to give passengers a brand-new airport experience,” said Vivian Cheung Kar-fay, AAHK’s chief operating officer.
HKIA’s passenger numbers in August were 7.3 times higher compared with August last year, with the most noticeable growth observed in traffic to and from Southeast Asia, the Chinese mainland, and Japan. However, the month-to-month growth in passenger numbers from July to August was merely 5 percent, indicating a comparatively slow rate of recovery.
Cargo throughput, on the other hand, experienced an 8.5 percent year-on-year increase, driven by a 20.5 percent surge in export volume compared to the same month in 2022. Notably, there was significant growth in traffic to and from key trading regions such as the Middle East, Europe, and North America.
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Over the first eight months of the year, HKIA handled 24.4 million passengers, more than 13 times that of the corresponding period in 2022. The airport managed a total of 167,895 “flight movements”, indicating a growth rate of 97.4 percent compared to the previous year.
Cathay Pacific Airways, the flagship airline of the city, recently also revealed that the airline transported over 11 million passengers during the first eight months of the year, representing a significant milestone as it reached 46 percent of pre-pandemic levels.
According to Lavinia Lau Hoi-zee, the group’s chief customer and commercial officer, the outlook for the remainder of the year appears promising. Anticipated factors such as an influx of student travelers for new school commencements and the boost in consumer sales during the Chinese mainland’s “Singles’ Day”, on Nov 11, are expected to drive up passenger numbers and stimulate cargo business this September.
In a public statement on Sunday, Raistlin Lau Chun, undersecretary for culture, sports, and tourism of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region government, revealed the promising tourism trends in Hong Kong. “From January to August this year, there were over 20 million visitor arrivals to Hong Kong. In the month of August alone, the daily average reached more than 130,000 arrivals,” he said.
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“The government will continue to collaborate with the industry to enrich Hong Kong’s tourism offerings and attract visitors,” Lau added.
An array of activities and promotions has been launched to attract tourists and stimulate consumption, including the return of the National Day fireworks display after a five-year absence; half-price theater tickets; and free rides on public transportation.
