Almost all major markets experienced a double-digit decline during the month. While imports from Japan, Europe and Southeast Asia dropped most significantly, exports to Europe, North America and Taiwan showed the biggest dip. Transshipments to and from Taiwan, the Mainland and Southeast Asia were also hit.
From February 2008 to January 2009, cargo volume declined 6 per cent, to 3.5 million tonnes from the same period a year earlier.
Passenger traffic actually increased year-on-year in January by 0.2 per cent to 4 million passengers, although the increase could have been due to the early Chinese New Year this year.
The overall number of aircraft movements fell 2 per cent to 24,245.
¡°The aviation industry is a reflection of the general economic situation and the declines we are experiencing… are largely consistent with what is happening with the global economy,¡± Stanley Hui, chief executive officer of the Hong Kong Airport Authority, said.
¡°As companies continue to keep a tight rein on their business activities and consumers on their spending, drops in air traffic figures covering passenger, cargo and aircraft movements will likely continue.¡±