Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) continues to thrive as a global aviation hub, with impressive air traffic figures for March 2025.
The airport welcomed 4.81 million passengers and managed 33,240 flight movements. This marked year-on-year increases of 10.4% and 11.5%, respectively.
The numbers released by the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) reflect HKIA’s robust recovery and growing demand for air travel.
HKIA March Performance
Passenger Traffic Surges
The surge in passenger numbers was largely fueled by significant growth in transfer and transit passengers, as well as an influx of visitors.
All regions saw increased passenger traffic compared to March 2024, with Mainland China and Japan leading the charge.
For the first quarter of 2025, HKIA handled 14.59 million passengers, a 15.0% rise from the same period last year. Flight movements also grew by 11.3%, totaling 95,975.
This upward trend is further highlighted by HKIA’s performance over the past 12 months. Passenger volume soared by 21.6% to 54.94 million, while flight movements jumped 20.5% to 373,050.
These figures serve to highlight HKIA’s pivotal role in connecting travelers worldwide.
Cargo Operations Growth
Cargo traffic at HKIA also showed steady growth, with a 4.8% year-on-year increase to 449,000 tonnes in March 2025. Exports, which rose by 5.8%, were the primary driver of this growth.
The Middle East and Europe emerged as the top regions for cargo traffic during the month. For the first quarter, cargo volume climbed 3.2% to 1.17 million tonnes compared to the same period in 2024.
On a 12-month rolling basis, cargo throughput grew by 10.3% to 4.97 million tonnes. This achievement aligns with HKIA’s recent recognition as the world’s busiest cargo airport in 2024, according to Airports Council International (ACI) World.
Handling 4.9 million tonnes of cargo last year, HKIA secured the top spot for the 14th time since 2010.
Expanded Network & Route Additions
In March 2025, HKIA further expanded its global reach with new routes. Cathay Pacific introduced flights to Hyderabad, West Air launched services to Dali. Meanwhile, Vietnam Airlines began operating to Ho Chi Minh City.
These additions enhance Hong Kong’s connectivity with Mainland China and key international destinations, solidifying HKIA’s position as a leading aviation hub.
Vivian Cheung, Chief Executive Officer of AAHK, expressed pride in HKIA’s consistent ranking as the world’s busiest cargo airport.
“This achievement reflects our dedication to innovation and seizing opportunities in cargo services,” Cheung said.
She highlighted the recent commissioning of the Three-runway System and the development of new cargo handling facilities, which are set to boost efficiency.
Cheung also emphasized HKIA’s resilience amid economic uncertainties. “We will continue collaborating with the air cargo community to leverage HKIA’s unique strengths and maintain our status as a global aviation leader,” she added.
Looking Ahead
HKIA’s strong performance in passenger and cargo traffic, coupled with its expanded network and top cargo ranking, positions it for continued success.
With ongoing investments in infrastructure and services, the airport is well-equipped to meet growing demand and reinforce its role as a world-class aviation hub.
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