Airport Authority Hong Kong announced Sunday that passenger throughput at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) reached 4.1 million in June 2008, representing a 5 percent rise over June 2007.

According to statistics provided by the authority, cargo traffic at the airport increased 2.4 percent to 312,000 tons and air traffic movements went up 2.7 percent to 24,825.

While visitor traffic experienced a slowdown in June, growth intravel by Hong Kong residents and transfer or transit passengers was relatively more encouraging.

Import/export cargo momentum showed signs of slowing down in June and the overall 2.4 percent growth was mainly driven by transshipment to and from the Chinese Mainland and North America.

Stanley Hui Hon-chung, Chief Executive Officer of the authoritysaid that as high fuel prices and volatilities in the financial market will likely continue, there is an increasing tendency for the airlines to meet the fuel cost increase challenge through bothroute and capacity rationalization and fare increases, including fuel surcharges.

"Higher cost of airfreight will also drive less time sensitive shipments to sea freight," said Hui, adding that both passenger traffic and cargo volume will likely see lower growth this year given the latest market outlook.

(Xinhua News Agency July 14, 2008)