Hong Kong traffic recovers strongly

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Passenger volumes recovered strongly in October at Hong Kong International airport, the Airport Authority (AA) said this week

A little more than 3m passengers went through the airport in October, an increase of 17.9% over a year ago.

While passenger flow had been expected to recover in comparison to October 2001, the AA said traffic figures exceeded expectations. During this period there was increased traffic to southeast Asia and during the Chung Yeung Festival long weekend. Passenger traffic was 3.8% higher than October 2000.

AA said passenger throughput reached 33.71m in the past 12 months, 1.1% higher than the previous year. "The figures for October are extremely encouraging,"AA ceo David Pang said. "After factoring the impact of last year's events, this is the strongest sign so far that the aviation business is back on track."

Meanwhile the airside general merchandise concession (arrivals and departures) is still out for bid in Hong Kong. The merchandise area is now 20% larger than the equivalent space tendered the last time in 1997, due to the 8,300sq m (89,340sq ft) glass-pavillion extension in the East Hall due for completion in December 2003. With an open plaza format and wide walkways, Hong Kong said the new East Hall will offer greater exposure and free flow of passengers. There are nine outlets in the bid package ranging from 90sq m (968sq ft) to 890sqm (9,576sq ft) and totalling 2,500sqm (26,900sq ft). Bids close on December 30 2002.

• See Duty-Free News International Airport Watch October 15 issue for the Hong Kong International airport profile.