As air traffic rises, regional hub is ready (hktdc.com)


	Hong Kong International Airport continues to win international awards as it gears up for future growth

	Record numbers of airline passengers use Hong Kong as their hub as they travel around the region

The Asia-Pacific region led global air travel in 2006, a year in which a record 4.4 billion international passengers travelled. Hong Kong International Airport's (HKIA) share of this growth strengthens year on year, accounting for an extra 7.4 per cent of passengers (45.8 million) and 2.8 per cent more cargo throughput (3.6 million tones).

The results highlight Hong Kong's effectiveness in the increasingly competitive global air transport market, and reaffirm the city's position as a regional and international air logistics hub.

Figures released by the Airports Council International (ACI) for the year ended December 2006 show Asia-Pacific to be the world's fastest growing air traffic market, up 9.7 per cent in the previous year and more than twice the global average. If this trend continues, says ACI, Asia-Pacific will replace North America as the region with the largest passenger volume within 10 years.

Stronger presence

ACI, an association of the world's airports, was established in Geneva in 1991. In 2004 the non-profit organisation relocated its Pacific regional office to Hong Kong, positioning itself at the epicentre of emerging market trends. Later, ACI merged two of its regions, Asia and Pacific, into one, strengthening its Hong Kong presence.

Maggie Kwok, Regional Director for ACI Asia Pacific, said the economic development of China and India were driving air traffic growth in Asia-Pacific, adding that new airlines, new routes and more affordable fares are putting the heat on competition.

According to ACI statistics, Asia-Pacific region is comprised of 31 countries operating 147 ACI member airports, which carried a total of 980 million passengers in 2006. By 2010, the regional figure is expected to pass 1.3 billion, and by 2025, over 2.7 billion. "Asia-Pacific is the booming market of global aviation and we're seeing new airports in more locations in order to satisfy demand," Mrs Kwok said.

ACI relocated its regional office from Vancouver for Hong Kong for precisely this reason, Mrs Kwok said.

Ideal new home

"Our relocation study identified Hong Kong as our ideal new home because it is a vibrant, fast-growing city, and international hub with multiple connection possibilities. There is no more than four hours time difference between other airports in the region, which makes communication easier. And Hong Kong makes sense geographically as it is so strategically positioned."

Further, Mrs Kwok said Hong Kong is equipped to handle air transport growth going forward. It has a fast, efficient, high quality airport whose management is progressive and forward-looking. Developments such as the newly opened Terminal 2, and a government plan to increase runway capacity from the present level of 54 aircraft movements per hour to 58 by 2009, ensure that HKIA also has adequate runway and terminal space to retain its efficiency.

"The Hong Kong Airport Authority has a vision that recognises the importance of growth potential," Mrs Kowk said. "It also has a healthy relationship with airlines so you don't get the congestion experienced at some airports."

Wider reach

Meanwhile, HKIA continues to build its air transport network by adding new destinations and airlines. Airport Authority Commercial Director Hans Bakker said the total number of airlines operating at HKIA now numbers 86, maintaining Hong Kong's competitiveness as an international cargo and passenger hub.

Adding to its string of prestigious awards, HKIA was last month recognised as the world's best airport for the sixth time in seven years in the annual Skytrax survey. Nearly 8 million people participated in the global passenger poll, which was conducted by Skytrax, an independent, London-based air transport research organisation.

In other awards this year HKIA was voted best airport over 40 million passengers, and second best airport worldwide. Airports Council International announced these results after surveying more than 200,000 people at over 90 airports for its 2006 Airport Service Quality Awards.

HKIA also won the Air Transport Research Society's 2007 Asia-Pacific Airport Efficiency Excellence Award, and was awarded the Best International Airport Prize in the 2007 TravelWeekly (Asia) Industry Awards.