Introduction
Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has been ranked as the busiest airport for international air cargo since 1996. In 2011, HKIA handled 3.9 million tonnes of freight, which accounted for 36%, or HK$2,588 billion, of the total value of Hong Kong's external trade. Today, HKIA is one of the most important aviation centres for the Chinese Mainland, providing efficient and reliable air cargo services with the highest standards of safety and security. HKIA's advantages as an air cargo hub include:
- Free port policy
- Strategic geographic location
- Excellent connectivity and accessibility
- Extensive IT application
- High safety and security
- Sufficient cargo capacity
- Efficient cargo operation
- Competitive costs
To meet future demand of freight movements, 10 new cargo stands began operating in late 2007, taking the total number of cargo stands available for large aircraft to 34. HKIA aims to provide the "best-value" services to airport users in the most efficient and effective manner possible. We achieve this by working closely with business partners and by undertaking numerous other initiatives designed to enhance and expand the airport's capabilities.
Collaboration with air cargo industry
The airport plays an active role in the Cargo Facilitation Committee, which organises quarterly meetings to review air cargo handling operations and performance. Other committee members include:
- Carrier Liaison Group (CLG)
- Hong Kong Association of Freight Forwarding and Logistics Ltd. (HAFFA)
- Hong Kong Customs & Exercise Department (C&ED)
- Asia Airfreight Terminal Co Ltd. (AAT)
- Chu Kong Air-Sea Union Transportation Co Ltd. (CKSA)
- DHL Aviation (HK) Ltd. (DHL)
- Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd. (HACTL)
Streamlined customs
A fast and efficient customs process is critical to Hong Kong and its economy. HKIA expedites clearance by providing integrated Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) linkage between the seven major air cargo operators and the Customs & Excise Department (C&ED). Benefits include:
- Allowing pre-arrival customs clearance, covering all types of cargo down to “house” airway bill level;
- Providing a “priority consignments” facility and automatic assignment of default constraint codes; and
- Enabling authorised service providers to provide cross boundary bonded truck services to Mainland China.
Mainland integration
To strengthen the role of HKIA as the preferred cargo hub, cargo depots have been set up at strategic locations in the Pearl River Delta. The aim of this initiative is to reach out to cargo sources, and to facilitate the flow of goods via Hong Kong, enhancing HKIA’s role as a premier supply chain together in China.
International recognition
HKIA’s air cargo excellence has won widespread international recognition, including:
- 2006-2012 Air Cargo Award of Excellence by Air Cargo World
- 2007 International Airport of the Year by Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation
- 2007-2009 Asia-Pacific Airport Efficiency Excellence Award by Air Transport Research Society
- 2007 Most Friendly Airport for Cargo by the Federation of Asia Pacific Aircargo Associations (FAPAA)
- 2005 Most Friendly Airport for Cargo by the Federation of Asia Pacific Aircargo Associations (FAPAA)
- 2004 Special IATA Fuel Award by IATA
- 2002 – 2004 Cargo Airport of the Year – Far East by Air Cargo News
- 2002 – 2003 Cargo Airport of the Year by Air Cargo News
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