Hong Kong Airport Sets Freight Record

Air freight exports out of Hong Kong soared 51.5 percent in May, pushing Hong Kong International Airport to what appears to be the busiest air cargo month in its history, according to figures released by the airport authority.

Overall freight tonnage at the world’s busiest international cargo airport grew 41.9 percent over the same month a year ago to 367,000 metric tons.

The tonnage exceeded the previous record monthly total of 364,000 metric tons measured in November 2007, according to monthly reports from the Airport Authority of Hong Kong.

The total in May also marked a 3.7 percent gain over overall freight tonnage in April, suggesting the pace of expedited shipping’s demand recovery was accelerating.

Hong Kong’s recovery from the 2009 downturn is picking up speed in exports and imports.

Inbound freight grew 27.2 percent in May over the same month a year ago, and it grew 4.8 percent on a month-to-month basis from April to an apparent record 130,000 metric tons.

Outbound tonnage fell short of a monthly record set in November 2007, but the total of 237,000 metric tons in May was still 3 percent better than April.

By The Numbers: Air Freight Price Index.