The Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is strengthening its position in the global aviation industry by expanding its route network in the global South and enhancing infrastructure investments, said Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po in the Routes World 2025 on Thursday (Sep 25).
The two-day major global aviation convention first took place in Hong Kong, attracting 250 airlines across 115 countries and regions as well as 2,000 participants to Asia World-Expo.
In his opening speech, Chan indicated that the global aviation industry is experiencing a strong momentum, with last year’s air traffic growing by over 10 percent year-on-year.
Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties, the passenger demand is expected to increase by another 6 percent this year, with air cargo volume reaching 69 million tons, allowing Hong Kong to benefit from this global trend.
Chan noted that the Hong Kong International Airport served 53 million passengers last year, a 34 percent increase year-on-year. In the first eight months of this year, it recorded 40 million passengers, an increase of 15 percent.
Currently, the airport operates over 1,000 flights daily, connecting more than 210 destinations worldwide through approximately 140 airlines.
The financial chief said HKIA is expanding its connections in the global South, including ASEAN, the Middle East, Central Asia and Latin America.
He cited that in the past two years, Hong Kong has expanded bilateral air service agreements with over 10 economies, with the latest agreements with Chile and Poland made two months ago.
Chan also noted that Hong Kong serves as an international travel gateway for residents of the Greater Bay Area, with 20 percent of passengers at HKIA coming from the region.
He said the government has simplified customs and immigration procedures to facilitate more efficient movement of passengers and cargo to fulfill the growing tourism demand in the region.
