The Hong Kong International Airport witnessed a record growth in passengers and cargo in 2000.

The airport processed some 33.4 million passengers and 2.24 million tons of cargo last year, representing an increase of 9.8 percent and 13.3 percent, respectively, according to a spokesman of the Hong Kong Airport Authority Sunday.

Other indications of the airport's improving business prospects were a growing ratio of transfer passengers, and the fact that aircraft were carrying more passengers per flight, said David Pang, the airport authority's chief executive officer.

A near 20 percent increase in the number of transfer passengers provided more evidence that the airport was evolving into a major international aviation hub, Pang said.

The 8.7 percent increase in the number of flight movements, which was lower than the growth in passengers and cargo, reflected an overall increase in aircraft load factors, Pang added.

(People’s Daily 01/14/2001)