Passenger Exceed 33 Million at Hong Kong AirportMore than 33 million passengers passed through Hong Kong International Airport in the 12 months up to October, setting a new record, the Airport Authority announced on November 22.The latest passenger figure is a rise of about 10 percent over the corresponding 12-month period ending in October 1999, the Airport Authority said. Cargo throughput in October set an all-time monthly high figure for Hong Kong at 209,000 tons. The rolling 12-month cargo figure was also a new high of 2.23 million tons. During the same period, cargo throughput increased by 18 percent while the number of aircraft movements rose 7.6 percent to about 178,900. "The figure of 33 million passengers is a new psychological high-water mark," said Airport Authority Chief Executive Officer Billy Lam Chung-lun. "We have been seeing a steady growth in passenger numbers in the last 12 months as a result of improved economic conditions in the region," he said. The steady increase in passenger traffic also bodes well for airport retail, Lam said. Since the airport's opening, the average monthly number of passengers has risen by more than 20 percent while monthly average retail and catering sales have jumped by 36 percent, he said. |
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