HKIA passenger traffic rises 10.1% in first three quarters of 2026

(ECNS) -- Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) handled 49.1 million passengers and 302,075 flight movements in the first three quarters of 2026, up 10.1% and 3.9% year on year, respectively, the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) said Tuesday.

Cargo throughput rose 3.1% year on year to 3.78 million metric tons over the same period.

In September alone, HKIA handled 4.86 million passengers, up 10.2% year on year, while flight movements rose 7.0% to 32,175. Cargo throughput increased 6.3% to 433,000 metric tons.

Double-digit growth in transfer and transit passengers was the main driver of passenger traffic growth in September. By market, the Chinese mainland made the largest contribution to passenger growth, while the decline in traffic associated with the Middle East continued to ease. Cargo growth was mainly driven by Southeast Asia and the Chinese mainland.

HKIA was voted "Asia's Leading Airport" for the sixth time since 2020 and "China's Leading Airport" for the fifth consecutive year at the 2026 World Travel Awards. It was also honored in the "Travel Hall of Fame – Best Airport" category at the 2026 TTG Travel Awards for the 14th consecutive year.

(By Tang Yuxian)