The Hong Kong International Airport handled 5.28 million passengers in January, up 27.8 percent from a year ago, the Airport Authority Hong Kong said on Monday.

The AAHK said in a statement that flight movements recorded a year-on-year increase of 17.0 percent to 33,660, a post-pandemic high.

On Jan 25, the airport handled over 193,000 passengers, another post-COVID high representing a full recovery to the pre-pandemic peak level, AAHK said, adding that the average daily passenger traffic last month exceeded 170,000.

All passenger segments, including Hong Kong residents, visitors and transit passengers, experienced double-digit year-on-year increases, the AAHK said.

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Traffic to and from Southeast Asia, the Chinese mainland and Japan recorded the most significant increases during the month, it added.

AAHK said cargo throughput continued to gain momentum, registering a year-on-year increase of 4.1 percent to 394,000 tonnes. All cargo sectors saw positive growth, with transshipments recording the highest increase at 12.2 percent.

Cargo traffic to and from the Middle East, Europe and Australasia grew the most among key trading regions last month.

On a 12-month rolling basis, passenger volume surged by 30.5 percent to 54.2 million, while flight movements experienced a significant 27.6 percent increase to 368,195, said the AAHk, adding that cargo throughput also grew 12.0 percent to 4.95 million tonnes.

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Meanwhile, three city terminals were added in the Greater Bay Area last month at Guangzhou Hotel, Nanhai Vanke Plaza in Foshan, and Changdachang Plaza in Taishan, offering coach and limousine services directly connected to HKIA.

“HKIA serves as a prime double gateway connecting the mainland to the world. AAHK is increasing the total number of city terminals in the GBA to 30 by March this year,” said Chapman Fong, Deputy Director, Corporate Development of AAHK.  

“By facilitating passengers’ journey between the GBA and overseas destinations through HKIA’s extensive aviation network, Hong Kong’s international aviation hub status will be strengthened.”