Hong Kong Airport Authority Wednesday said it record a net profit of HK$993 million in the first half of the 2006-07 financial year, up 13.2 percent on the same period last year.

 

The strong performance in passenger and cargo throughput underpinned the authority's encouraging financial results. Total passenger volume rose 9.2 percent to 22.7 million, while cargo throughput grew 3.5 percent to 1.8 million tons, and aircraft movements increased 6 percent to 140,700.

 

Meanwhile, the authority also sets eyes on the enlarging mainland market. The authority's Chief Executive Officer David Pang said the organization achieved a breakthrough in mainland market with the conclusion of a joint venture with the Zhuhai Municipal Government that will see the authority manage Zhuhai Airport for 20 years.

 

"By making the Airport Authority an insider in the Mainland aviation system, the agreement is also a key step in our long-term strategy of supporting the coordinated development of a Pearl River Delta airport system so as to better serve the region," he added.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 30, 2006)