Freighter movements at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) saw a strong growth in April with a 24.3% year-on-year increase.
Cargo throughput at the number global cargo hub dropped 14.2% compared to the same month last year to 338,000 tonnes, while the COVID-19 pandemic’s severe impact on passenger traffic continued during the month.
Over the first four months of the year, HKIA cargo throughput recorded 1.3m tonnes, a drop of 11.7% compared to the same period last year.
HKIA handled 32,000 passengers and 9,445 flight movements in April, representing year-on-year decreases of 99.5% and 73.5%, respectively.
During the month, all non-Hong Kong residents coming from overseas countries and regions by plane continued to be denied entry to Hong Kong, and the suspension of all transfer/transit services remained.
Cargo exports to some markets recorded year-on-year increases, with North America being the strongest market.
The overall decline in cargo handled was mainly attributed to the 51% decline in transshipments, while exports increased by 4% compared to the same month last year. Traffic to/from key trading regions in Southeast Asia and India decreased most significantly in the month.
Cissy Chan, Executive Director, Commercial of Airport Authority (AA) Hong Kong, said: “It is a challenging time for air cargo as airlines have suspended most of their passenger flights, leading to a significant reduction in belly capacity for cargo.
“However, the demand for air cargo has remained relatively strong, especially for commodities related to COVID-19 prevention, including face masks and other medical supplies, as well as consumer electronics.”
Chan continued: “HKIA has maintained a relatively stable cargo throughput, attributable to the airport’s extensive freighter network and agility in facilitation of chartered cargo flights, in addition to airlines using passenger aircraft for all cargo operations.
‘The AA will continue to work with our cargo operators to provide efficient and reliable cargo handling services.”
Over the first four months of the year, HKIA handled 8.2m passengers and 72,805 flight movements, representing year-on-year decreases of 67.5% and 48.5%, respectively.
On a 12-month rolling basis, passenger volume and flight movements fell by 27.6% and 18.2% to 54.5 million and 351,215, respectively, while cargo throughput of 4.6 million tonnes was recorded, representing a decrease of 7.8% year on year.
Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon carried 84,634 tonnes of cargo and mail in April, a decrease of 48.3% compared to April 2019.
The month’s revenue freight tonne kilometres (RFTKs) fell 37.3% year- on-year. The cargo and mail load factor increased by 7.6 percentage points to 70.1%, while capacity, measured in available freight tonne kilometres (AFTKs), was down by 44.1%.
In the first four months of 2020, the tonnage fell by 26.6% against a 25.4% drop in capacity and a 20.6%
