Mike King, Special Correspondent | Aug 21, 2012 9:18AM EDT
The world’s largest freight airport saw a slight month-on-month increase in volume during July, but growth compared to 2011 remained negative.
Hong Kong International Airport set new monthly records for passenger volume and air traffic movements last month, yet cargo throughput of 335,000 tonnes was 1.6 percent lower than a year earlier.
Imports increased by 4 percent in July year-over-year, building on the June gain of eight percent. However, a four percent drop in exports and three percent decline in transshipments saw overall throughput decline, although the total was up by 1,000 tonnes compared to June 2012.
On a rolling 12-month basis through July, cargo volume at HKIA of 3.9 million tonnes is 3.1 percent lower than a year earlier.
Kenneth Yeung, General Manager for Corporate Development at Asia Airfreight Terminal, a leading handler at HKIA, said its July tonnage was down one percent year-over-year. Ongoing declines were down to a “fragile” world economy and trade market,” he said.
“Aviation is always a volatile and challenging industry,” Yeung said. “Cargo business has been affected by continuing weak demand in major markets.”
Contact Mike King at michael@borderline.eu.com.
