HONG KONG. Hong Kong International Airport has recorded a +4.2% year-on-year increase in passenger traffic in the first eight months of 2016, to 47.7 million.
However, traffic was down -2.2% in August, to 6.2 million. The airport noted the impact of bad weather and a typhoon early in the month as well as a high base for comparison on South Korean routes. This was because of a “robust” South Korea traffic performance in August 2015 following the removal of the Red Outbound Travel Alert for South Korea due to MERS.
“These reductions diminished the overall contribution of the +6% year-on-year growth of Hong Kong resident travel in August,” the airport said.
Potential bidders for the upcoming duty free concessions at the airport will be taking a close interest in these figures. As reported, Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has restructured its core category airside retail concessions in advance of a series of major tenders beginning late October or early November.
A full analysis of the key changes to the tender mix and the potential bidders can be read in the latest issue of The Moodie Davitt e-Zine.
AAHK General Manager, Airport and Industry Collaboration Henry Ma noted the positive impact of the recent addition of several direct flight services. “We are delighted to see airlines enhancing their services and providing more flying options for passengers,” he said. “For instance, this month we welcomed the non-stop flight service to Vienna, enhancing our airport’s reach to this important hub for Central and Eastern Europe. The additional connectivity will further strengthen [the airport’s] status as an international aviation centre.”
On a rolling 12-month basis, the airport handled 70.4 million passengers representing a +5.1% increase.
