Hong Kong Airport Authority (AA) said on Sunday that cargo throughput at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) set a new monthly record in March, reaching 320,000 tons in total.

Fueled by a strong rebound in air traffic after the Chinese New Year (CNY) holiday and the continuously robust demand from major markets including the United States, Europe and Japan, cargo throughput at HKIA grew 10 percent in March over the same period last year.

In the meantime, the rapid resumption of business travel after CNY holiday has contributed to the growth in monthly passenger throughput, up 7 percent to 3.55 million from the same period last year, despite that Easter was in March last year.

Aircraft movements also grew 10.8 percent to 23,620 as supported by the persistent growth in passenger and cargo traffic, said the airport authority.

Last month also saw a new airline start operating at HKIA. Qatar Airways commenced its daily non-stop flight between Hong Kong and Doha on March 26. This new Hong Kong- Doha route provides an additional air link between Hong Kong and the Middle East and further strengthens HKIA's position as a regional and international aviation hub.

AA Commercial Director Hans Bakker welcomed the latest figures.

"Growth trends of international and regional cargo remain strong. We expect the current growth momentum to sustain in April in view of the anticipated surge in export before the Chinese mainland's Labor Holiday," he said.

"April's passenger traffic also looks promising with Easter falling in mid-April and the Guangzhou Trade Fair and a series of other trade fairs in Hong Kong scheduled for this month. The last weekend of April falling on the eve of the Labor Day Golden Week will stimulate passenger flow too," added Bakker.

For the full financial year of 2005/2006 ended in March, passenger and air cargo throughput totaled 41.6 million and 3.48 million tons, increasing by 8.7 percent and 10.5 percent year-on- year, respectively.

Source: Xinhua