Hong Kong Airport’s January traffic figures decrease by 11.7% year-on-year
Hong Kong International Airport’s passenger traffic has recorded a 11.7% decrease year-on-year, due to a drop in visitor traffic from Mainland China, South Korea and Southeast Asia
The latest figures from Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) showed that it has handled 5.7 million passengers and 33,210 flight movements in January 2020, representing year-on-year decreases of 11.7% and 9.1%, respectively.
Attributing the decrease to lower overall passenger traffic to/from Mainland China, South Korea and Southeast Asia, HKIA said these locations recorded the most significant decreases in January. Visitor traffic remained weak, showing a year-on-year decrease of 43%. However, travel by Hong Kong residents surged during the Chinese New Year holidays, amounting to a monthly growth of 25% year-on-year.
Commenting on the figures, Vivian Cheung, Executive Director, Airport Operations of Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) said: “HKIA’s traffic has been affected by multiple factors, including the outbreak of Novel Coronavirus in late January and social circumstances. We expect to see continued decline in traffic numbers in February as airlines have suspended flights and governments in different markets have implemented immigration restrictions and quarantine measures. The AA has stepped up cleaning and disinfection work in the terminal and passenger facilities and continues to work closely with the Port Health Division of the Department of Health and our business partners regarding disease prevention work at the airport.”
