Hong Kong International Airport achieves pre-pandemic passenger levels

The Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) handled more than 170,000 passengers a day on average in January this year, marking a return to pre-pandemic peak levels, according to the Airport Authority on Monday.

On January 25 alone, the airport recorded traffic of over 193,000 passengers, the highest since the pandemic began, representing a complete recovery to pre-pandemic figures, the authority said in a statement.

In January, all passenger categories -- including Hong Kong residents, visitors, and transit passengers -- experienced double-digit year-on-year increases, with the most significant growth seen in traffic to and from Southeast Asia, mainland China, and Japan.

Cargo throughput also showed positive momentum, with HKIA handling 394,000 tons of cargo in January, a 4.1 percent increase from the same month last year.

The most notable increases in cargo traffic were to and from the Middle East, Europe, and Australasia.

Also, HKIA opened three new city terminals in the Greater Bay Area last month, providing coach and limousine services directly connected to the airport.

These terminals are located at Guangzhou Hotel, Nanhai Vanke Plaza in Foshan, and Changdachang Plaza in Taishan.

The authority plans to increase the number of such facilities to 30 by next month (March this year), aiming to enhance connectivity with the HKIA.

Chapman Fong, the authority’s deputy director, said: “By facilitating passengers’ journeys between the GBA and overseas destinations through HKIA’s extensive aviation network, Hong Kong’s international aviation hub status will be strengthened.”

(Jamie Liu)