Record-breaking year for HKIA

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) achieved a strong year in 2014, setting new records in terms of passenger traffic and aircraft movements.

The airport handled a total of 63.38 million passengers last year, 5.8% more than in 2013 and the first time it has exceeded the 60m mark in a single year. Flight movements climbed 5.1% to a record 390,955, while the airport’s cargo figures also reached an all-time high.

“We are pleased to see HKIA achieving another record breaking year in 2014, which further strengthens its leading position as an international and regional aviation hub, supporting the economic growth of Hong Kong,” said Fred Lam, CEO of Hong Kong’s Airport Authority (AA).

“We have also seen new daily records in all three traffic categories last year, reaching about 210,000 passengers, over 16,000 tonnes of cargo and 1,178 flight movements. We are very proud that HKIA is one of the very few airports in the world that ranks near the top in both passenger and cargo volumes,” he added.

HKIA also welcomed three new airlines in 2014 – American Airlines, Siam Air and Vanilla Air – extending the airport’s flight network to 180 destinations around the world.

And the growth of HKIA is expected to continue in 2015 and the years ahead.

“Air traffic demand continues to grow, and we expect 4-6% growth in passengers, cargo volumes and flight movements this year. We will continue to enhance airport facilities and services, and work closely with HKIA’s business partners to maintain a world-class travel experience for our passengers,” said Lam.

Located between HKIA’s two existing runways, a new 105,000m² Midfield Concourse is due to open this year, adding 20 new aircraft parking stands. And late last year, the airport also got the green light to proceed with plans for the creation of a third runway on reclaimed land. This is expected to be fully operational by 2023.