Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) continues to record robust growth in passenger and cargo throughput in November, with passenger traffic reaching 3.67 million, a 9% increase from the same period last year.

Thanks to the upbeat economy in the region, the growth was mainly due to the increase in visitor traffic, especially those from the Chinese Mainland and Southeast Asia. During the traditional cargo peak time of November, cargo throughput grew to 342,000 tonnes, up 7.2% year-on-year. Aircraft movements also recorded a healthy growth of 3.8%, to 23,790 movements.

Passenger traffic is expected to be particularly busy during the Christmas and New Year period. Just a week away from Christmas, Airport Management Director of the Airport Authority Hong Kong Mr Howard Eng said, "The airport community is excited about welcoming travellers, shoppers, meeters and greeters alike with a whole range of events and activities especially prepared for the festive season.

"Visitors and travellers will enjoy the holiday fun and Christmas spirit brought by carol singers, musicians, kid dancers, ballet dancers and story tellers. Santa Claus will greet them with gifts and children will have fun at the handicraft workshop. Christmas is a very special season of the year and we at HKIA are committed to giving every passenger and customer a warm experience filled with fond memories."

In the past 12 months, passenger traffic rose to 44.1 million, representing a rise of 8.9% over the same period last year. Cargo throughput and aircraft movements rose 5.9% and 7.2%, to 3.6 million and 279,730 respectively.