Page 15 - STAT-March-2024-for-wesbite

Hong Kong as a leading international avia-
tion hub, facilitating seamless cargo move-
ment within the vast 56,000 sq km region.
However, this vision faces a challenge
as the mainland Chinese cities namely
Shenzhen and Guangzhou are aggressively
developing their own air cargo infrastruc-
ture, aiming to capture a significant share
of the GBA’s air cargo market.
Shenzhen's Bao'an International Airport is
undergoing a massive expansion, includ-
ing the construction of a new terminal We see the growing
specifically dedicated to cargo with an aim competition as an
to increase the annual cargo volume to 2.1
million tonnes and move towards a future encouraging sign that
annual handling capacity goal of 4.5 million
tonnes. Similarly, Guangzhou is investing motivates Hong Kong to
heavily in its Baiyun International Airport, continuously improve and
including the construction of its fourth
and fifth runway by 2025 with an expected secure its competitiveness
cargo throughput capacity of 3.8 million
tonnes. These investments, coupled with in the aviation industry.
their proximity to mainland China's vast Mike Chew
manufacturing base, pose a significant chal- AAT
lenge to Hong Kong's long-held dominance
in the region's air cargo industry. cient logistics network. As a free port with
“We acknowledge the growing competi- streamlined customs procedures, it seam-
tion from Shenzhen and Guangzhou air- lessly facilitates the movement of goods,
down to the location of every pallet and ports in terms of cargo handling capacity particularly through its air cargo hub, HKIA.
dolly, and facilitates optimal deployment and infrastructure development. However, This airport consistently ranks among the
of resources based on real-time workflow we see this competition as an encouraging busiest globally, handling a significant por-
data and demand modelling,” said Kwong. sign that motivates Hong Kong to continu- tion of Hong Kong's trade value.
“Cathay was a vital service provider ously improve and secure its competitive- “As the global population increases,
towards the containment of the pandemic ness in the aviation industry,” added Chew more countries develop industry and
by quickly delivering pharmaceuticals, about the intensifying competition. wealth, and e-commerce replaces tradi-
medical equipment and personal protec- “HKIA is well-positioned to maintain its tional routes to market, the future for air
tive equipment such as masks that were leading role as an air cargo hub despite cargo as a whole looks very positive. And,
urgently needed around the world. Dur- increasing competition from mainland although geopolitical issues can produce
ing the downtime, Cathay was operating a China and regional players like Shenzhen headwinds, they can also spell oppor-
bare skeleton passenger flight schedule in and Guangzhou. The central government's tunity – as we are already seeing from
April and May 2020, measures were taken reassurance to maintain HKIA's status as an current ocean services disruption in the
to supplement capacity with cargo-only aviation hub is a vote of confidence for the Red Sea, leading to a modal switch to air
passenger flights to many other destina- Hong Kong air cargo business,” added Lau. cargo for speed and security reasons. For
tions around the globe,” Rajesh Menon, “To some degree, the growth of cargo Hong Kong, the future looks even better,”
Regional Head- SMEA, Cathay Cargo. operations and throughput at some concluded Kwong.
Chinese mainland airports is a result of Looking ahead, Hong Kong's air cargo
A new challenge the glass ceiling on freighter operations at industry is poised for continued growth,
While the Hong Kong air cargo industry HKIA, when we were reaching slot satura- fueled by factors like its integration with
managed to emerge from the pandemic tion. Now that the third runway has been the Greater Bay Area and the increasing
challenges, a new contender has emerged built, and our second runway is poised to demand for faster and more reliable air
in the form of its neighbours, Shenzhen re-enter service after extensive refurbish- freight services. However, the industry fac-
and Guangzhou. The Greater Bay Area ment, the limit on freighter operations will es challenges, such as rising competition
(GBA) initiative, launched by Beijing in 2019, be removed, facilitating organic growth from regional players and potential disrup-
aims to integrate Hong Kong, Macau, and once again,” asserted Kwong. tions from geopolitical events. Despite
nine Guangdong cities, including Shen- Hong Kong stands out as a crucial player these, Hong Kong's strong foundation and
zhen and Guangzhou, into an economic in global trade, thanks to its strategic loca- strategic focus position it to remain a vital
powerhouse by 2035. This plan envisions tion, world-class infrastructure, and effi- force in the global air cargo landscape. 

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