Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) recorded a 6.3% year-on-year increase in cargo throughput in September, handling 433,000 tonnes as stronger transhipment and import volumes offset weaker traffic on European trade lanes.
The reported figures represent a recovery following declines in July and August, with growth led by shipments linked to Southeast Asia and the Chinese mainland.
Transhipment volumes increased by 26.9% compared with September 2025, while imports rose by 9.2%. The stronger performance from Asian markets more than offset the reported decline in European-bound and Europe-related cargo flows.
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The airport handled approximately 407,000 tonnes in September last year.
Inbound cargo outpaces outbound growth
September’s performance was supported by stronger inbound traffic. Unloaded cargo rose by 14.6% year on year to approximately 126,000 tonnes, while loaded cargo increased by 3.2% to around 306,000 tonnes.
Cargo flight movements also increased, rising 3.9% to 6,515 during the month, compared with 6,270 a year earlier.
The figures suggest that inbound cargo demand strengthened more rapidly than outbound flows, reflecting the importance of Hong Kong’s role as a regional gateway and transhipment hub for international supply chains.
Southeast Asia and mainland China were the principal growth markets, according to the reported data.
European traffic faced additional pressure following the European Union’s introduction of a temporary €3 customs duty on qualifying items in low-value consignments from outside the bloc, effective 1 July 2026. The measure replaced the previous customs duty exemption for consignments valued at up to €150 and forms part of the EU’s wider customs reform. <Cite refs={[“turn858676search0″,”turn858676search10”]}/>
Year-to-date cargo throughput remains positive
During the first nine months of 2026, HKIA handled approximately 3.78 million tonnes of cargo, representing a 3.1% increase compared with the corresponding period last year.
For the financial year beginning in April, throughput reached approximately 2.576 million tonnes, up 3% year on year. Unloaded cargo increased by 10.2% to 733,000 tonnes, while loaded volumes edged up 0.4% to 1.843 million tonnes.
Cargo flight movements during the same financial-year period rose by 1.7% to 39,490.
The airport’s rolling 12-month performance also remained positive. Cargo throughput increased by 3.3% to 5.18 million tonnes, comprising 1.439 million tonnes of unloaded cargo, up 8.5%, and 3.741 million tonnes of loaded cargo, up 1.5%.
Flight movements over the 12-month period increased by 2.1% to 79,715.
Asian trade flows support airport performance
The September results underline the importance of regional trade flows to Hong Kong’s cargo operations. Stronger transhipment activity and import demand from Asian markets helped sustain growth despite softer European-related volumes.
For airlines and freight forwarders, the shift highlights the value of flexible capacity allocation and diversified trade lanes as customs changes and evolving e-commerce patterns influence international freight demand.
With cargo throughput higher over the first nine months of the year and on a rolling 12-month basis, HKIA’s reported performance points to continued growth, although the balance between inbound and outbound traffic remains an important factor in the airport’s overall cargo outlook.
