Hong Kong International Airport Reaffirms Status as World’s No. 1 Air Cargo Hub in 2025

Hong Kong International Airport (Photo: Hkaircargo / Phaata)

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) recently released its operational results for December, recording steady growth in air cargo volume. These results wrap up a resilient 2025, underpinned by strong exports, increased transshipment activity, and an ever-expanding connectivity network.

December: A Boom in Transshipment Activity

Specifically, cargo throughput in December rose by 3.6% year-on-year to 462,000 tonnes. Both exports and transshipments saw gains.

Most notably, transshipment volumes surged by an outstanding 18% compared to the same period last year. Trade flows with Southeast Asia, Europe, and Mainland China were the primary drivers contributing to this growth during the month.

2025 Summary: Retaining the Crown

For the full fiscal year, HKIA handled 5.1 million tonnes of cargo, representing a 2.7% increase over 2024. This figure once again solidifies the airport's standing as the world’s leading air cargo hub.

Additionally, passenger traffic continued a strong recovery. Passenger numbers increased by 13.5% year-on-year in December and by 15% for the full year.

Infrastructure and Connectivity: The Keys to Growth

HKIA’s connectivity was significantly enhanced over the past year with the addition of 30 new destinations - including Abu Dhabi, Brussels, and Dallas -alongside increased frequencies on major routes. The airport community’s efforts were recognized with approximately 80 international awards across various operational and service categories.

Recent infrastructure investments have played a pivotal role in supporting growth. The commissioning of the Three-Runway System in late 2024 has substantially boosted HKIA's capacity to accommodate more flights and airlines.

Expanding the Logistics Ecosystem

Cargo operators at HKIA are continuously expanding their presence:

•    Hong Kong Air Cargo (based at HKIA) is actively scaling up its service scope.

•    Hong Kong Air Cargo Industry Services Limited (a subsidiary of Hactl) recently strengthened its partnership with Flexport, positioning Hong Kong as a key transshipment hub for this tech-driven logistics provider.

Earlier this year, Hactl also began handling shipments via the “Air-Land Fresh Lane” - a dedicated corridor for fresh seafood and chilled fruit imports into the Greater Bay Area. This route combines air transport to HKIA with road transport via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, supported by streamlined customs and quarantine procedures. Cathay Cargo was the first carrier to utilize this lane.

Previously, according to data from Airports Council International (ACI), HKIA handled 4.9 million tonnes of cargo in 2024 (up 14% year-on-year), laying a solid foundation for the continued growth witnessed in 2025.

See more:

• Maersk Officially Restarts Red Sea Routing: A Structural Shift
• Asia-Europe Container Shipping Enters 2026: Seasonal Bounce Meets Lingering Structural Uncertainty
• COSCO Secures Massive $2.7 Billion Order: A Strategic Pivot to LNG-Powered Container Vessels
• Airfreight Capacity and Competition: Strategies for Service Stability Amidst Volatility
• November Contrasts: North American Container Volumes Shrink Amid Global Growth Surge
• Asia-Pacific Freight Market January 2026: A Mixed Landscape of Opportunities and Risks
• Global Shipping Forecast 2026: Rates Decline Amid Oversupply Pressure
• International Shipping and Logistics Market Update Week 2/2026 | Phaata
• EU ETS 2026: A Cost Shock to the Global Supply Chain
• Global Logistics 2026: Pressures from the Regulatory 'Wall' and Technological Gateways
• Descartes Report: US Container Imports Drop 5.9% in December
• Drewry’s Intra-Asia Index (IACI) Dips Slightly in Early 2026: Rebound Forecasted Soon
• ONE Partners with MTI to Establish 'QUAVEO' Joint Venture in HCMC: Leveraging AI to Drive Digital Transformation in Shipping
• COSCO schedules: Vietnam - North America in Jan 2026
• SITC updates Vietnam-Intra Asia sailing schedules in Jan 2026

Source: Phaata.com (According to Maritime Gateway)

► Find Better Freight Rates & Logistics Service Providers!