HONG Kong International Airport (HKIA) saw its cargo volumes grow again in January after a strong 2024 and the start-up of its three-runway system.
The world's busiest cargo airport saw its cargo volumes in January increase by 4.1 per cent year on year to 394,000 tonnes.
All cargo sectors saw positive growth, with transshipments recording the highest increase at 12.2 per cent, reports London's Air Cargo News.
'Cargo traffic to and from the Middle East, Europe and Australasia grew the most among key trading regions during the month,' the airport said.
The airport would have also benefitted from a ramp up in cargo volumes ahead of factory closures for the Lunar New Year holiday, which fell earlier this year than it did in 2024.
Last year, the airport saw its cargo volumes increase by 14 per cent year on year to 4.9 million tonnes, fuelled by rapid growth in e-commerce demand.
This year air cargo volume growth is expected to moderate - IATA is predicting an increase of around 5.8 per cent industry wide.
However, there are concerns that US moves to add new tariffs on goods from China and in the future end duty-free exemption for e-commerce shipments could have a negative impact on the demand outlook.
The airport's major airline customer, Cathay Pacific, also reported a busy start to the year for cargo.
Its cargo volumes in January increased by 13.7 per cent to 130,572 tonnes.
The airline's chief customer and commercial officer Lavinia Lau observed: 'Cargo got off to a slower start after the New Year holidays but demand gradually picked up pace as we approached the traditional pre-Lunar New Year rush.'
She cautioned: 'Softer cargo demand is expected following the Lunar New Year period.'
SeaNews Turkey
The world's busiest cargo airport saw its cargo volumes in January increase by 4.1 per cent year on year to 394,000 tonnes.
All cargo sectors saw positive growth, with transshipments recording the highest increase at 12.2 per cent, reports London's Air Cargo News.
'Cargo traffic to and from the Middle East, Europe and Australasia grew the most among key trading regions during the month,' the airport said.
The airport would have also benefitted from a ramp up in cargo volumes ahead of factory closures for the Lunar New Year holiday, which fell earlier this year than it did in 2024.
Last year, the airport saw its cargo volumes increase by 14 per cent year on year to 4.9 million tonnes, fuelled by rapid growth in e-commerce demand.
This year air cargo volume growth is expected to moderate - IATA is predicting an increase of around 5.8 per cent industry wide.
However, there are concerns that US moves to add new tariffs on goods from China and in the future end duty-free exemption for e-commerce shipments could have a negative impact on the demand outlook.
The airport's major airline customer, Cathay Pacific, also reported a busy start to the year for cargo.
Its cargo volumes in January increased by 13.7 per cent to 130,572 tonnes.
The airline's chief customer and commercial officer Lavinia Lau observed: 'Cargo got off to a slower start after the New Year holidays but demand gradually picked up pace as we approached the traditional pre-Lunar New Year rush.'
She cautioned: 'Softer cargo demand is expected following the Lunar New Year period.'
SeaNews Turkey
