The Macao International Airport recorded a strong traffic growth in the first quarter of this year, which was mostly attributed to the large passenger flow in March and in the Spring Festival holiday peak in January.

During the three-month period, 827,180 passengers utilized the airport, up 22.6 percent on an annual basis. Cargo traffic for the quarter increased 22.6 percent to 15,790 tons, airport sources said.

Passenger traffic of 312,320 in March set an airport record as the highest single month traffic, gaining 37.9 percent over the same period of 2000. Cargo handled also climbed significantly, reaching a total of 6,530 tons, growing 37.6 percent compared to February.

The airport, since it commenced operations in November 1995, has handled 12.2 million passengers, 272,900 tons of cargo and 118, 060 aircraft movements.

There will be 563 weekly flights at the airport during the summer, up 18 percent from the 477 regular flights during the winter period last year.

Macao International Airport has now flights to 24 cities, of which 15 destinations are in the inland areas of China.

(People’s Daily 04/10/2001)