Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) announced that its passenger volume and cargo tonnage have exceeded the 50 million and four million marks respectively for the first time, setting new annual records.
A commemoration ceremony was held at the airport in the presence of Eva Cheng, Secretary for Transport and Housing, Dr the Hon Marvin Cheung Kin-tung, Chairman of Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA), Stanley Hui Hon-chung, Chief Executive Officer of the AA, Anthony Lau, Executive Director of Hong Kong Tourism Board and a large number of business partners from the airport community and related industry bodies.
At the ceremony, the 50 millionth passenger who arrived at HKIA on Christmas Day, Wong Seng-hoe from Singapore, was presented with 50 gifts from various airport business partners, including a HK$5,000 cash coupon from the AA. Mr Wong came to Hong Kong with his family to celebrate the festive season.
The four millionth tonne of cargo, which is a consignment of electronic products bound for Dubai, departed from HKIA on 19 December.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Secretary for Transport and Housing Eva Cheng said, "This is an encouraging accomplishment, and also a result of the close cooperation and joint efforts of the AA, its business partners and the entire aviation and travel industry in riding out challenges."
Ms Cheng further added that whatever the operating environment, the AA has not reduced its investment on infrastructure. While the current development of the airport is expected to cope with the anticipated traffic demand up to 2020, the AA has launched its Master Plan 2030 study, which will look into the feasibility of building a third runway, with a view to reinforcing Hong Kong's status as an international and regional aviation centre.
AA Chairman Dr Marvin Cheung said, "The new traffic records are remarkable achievements, particularly in light of the fact that very few airports worldwide have such high passenger and cargo traffic at the same time. We have come a long way, and I sincerely thank the Hong Kong SAR Government, the airlines, cargo terminal operators, business partners, shippers, logistics operators and the general flying public for their unwavering support of HKIA. We also owe our remarkable achievements to the sustained growth of the Hong Kong SAR and Mainland economies." |
