HONG KONG - Hong Kong International Airport handled 4.07 million passengers in May, up 30.8 percent from the same period last year, according to the Airport Authority Hong Kong.

The airport also handled 29,855 flight movements, marking a year-on-year increase of 34.5 percent, while total cargo throughput rose 19 percent year-on-year to 416,000 tonnes, the AAHK said in a statement.

Traffic to and from Southeast Asia, the mainland, and Japan recorded the most notable increases during the month

It said the Chinese mainland's Labor Day “Golden Week” holidays, which started at the end of April, contributed significant traffic growth among all passenger segments in May. Traffic to and from Southeast Asia, the mainland, and Japan recorded the most notable increases during the month.

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HKIA also continued to record double-digit year-on-year growth in cargo volume each month this year. Export traffic remains the main driver of the growth, marking a 30.1 percent increase compared with the same month last year.

Among key trading regions, cargo traffic to and from North America, Europe and the Middle East rose most significantly during the month.

For the first five months of this year, the airport handled 21.0 million passengers or 58.9 percent higher than the low base during the same period last year.

Flight movements rose 50.5 percent year-on-year to 145,140 during the same period, as cargo volume increased by 18.0 percent year-on-year to more than 1.9 million tonnes.

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On a 12-month rolling basis, passenger volume was up 157.9 percent to 47.3 million. Flight movements also increased by 76.3 percent year-on-year to 324,805 while cargo throughput grew 13.1 percent year-on-year to 4.6 million tonnes.

The AAHK noted that HK Express Airways inaugurated a new direct flight service linking HKIA and Sanya Phoenix International Airport in Hainan on May 10.

With four pairs of flights each week, the new route provides more choices for travelers visiting Hainan, it added.