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Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) continued its steady cargo recovery trajectory in April 2026, handling 423,000 tonnes of cargo, a 4.9 percent increase compared to the same month last year. The growth reinforces HKIA’s position as one of the world’s leading air cargo gateways and highlights the resilience of Asia-Pacific supply chains despite ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainties.
According to figures released by Airport Authority Hong Kong, the rise in cargo throughput was largely driven by strong transshipment activity, which surged 20.2 percent year on year during the month. Import cargo volumes also posted healthy growth of 6.5 percent, while the decline in exports narrowed significantly to just 0.3 percent, signalling improving global trade demand.
Cargo flight movements at HKIA increased 4.3 percent to 6,605 flights in April, underlining continued demand for air freight services across regional and long-haul markets. Europe and Southeast Asia emerged as key growth drivers, offsetting weaker demand from North America and the Middle East, where ongoing geopolitical tensions continue to impact trade and logistics flows.
For the first four months of 2026, HKIA processed 1.63 million tonnes of cargo, representing year-on-year growth of 3.7 percent. Total flight movements during the same period rose 5.1 percent to 135,090. On a rolling 12-month basis, the airport handled 5.12 million tonnes of cargo, up 2.9 percent compared with the previous year.
Industry analysts note that Hong Kong’s cargo sector continues to benefit from robust cross-border e-commerce flows, high-value electronics shipments, and expanding transshipment operations connecting mainland China with global markets. The airport’s extensive connectivity and cargo handling infrastructure remain central to its competitive advantage in the global logistics landscape.
HKIA’s performance also aligns with broader momentum across Hong Kong’s aviation sector. The airport retained its title as the world’s busiest cargo airport in 2025, marking the 15th time it has achieved the distinction since 2010. Airport Authority Hong Kong has continued investing in cargo capacity expansion, digitalisation initiatives, and specialised handling capabilities for pharmaceuticals, perishables, and e-commerce shipments.
Meanwhile, Cathay Cargo also reported improved freight volumes in April, reflecting sustained demand on routes connecting Asia with the Americas and Europe. The airline cited growth in semiconductor, technology, and pharmaceutical shipments as important contributors to cargo performance.
Despite ongoing concerns around geopolitical instability and shifting trade patterns, HKIA’s latest cargo figures indicate that the airport remains a critical node in global supply chains. As international trade volumes gradually stabilise and e-commerce continues to drive air freight demand, Hong Kong appears well positioned to maintain its leadership role in the global air cargo industry.
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India’s air cargo operations have grown by nearly 40% in recent years, according to Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu, as the government looks to expand dedicated freight infrastructure and strengthen the country’s logistics network. Naidu said the government is working to develop air cargo hubs and facilities to international standards, reflecting the growing role of air freight in India’s wider logistics and trade infrastructure. A key development is planned at Delhi airport, where FedEx and GMR Airports have entered into a partnership to establish a dedicated air cargo facility. The project is expected to add specialised capacity for freight handling at one of India’s major aviation gateways. The increase in cargo volumes comes as India’s logistics sector handles rising demand for faster movement of high-value, time-sensitive and international shipments. Air freight is particularly important for sectors such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, engineering goods and other products where transit time is a significant consideration. The government’s focus on dedicated cargo infrastructure also points to an effort to separate freight-handling requirements from the operational demands of passenger aviation, while improving the efficiency of cargo processing and connectivity. Naidu’s comments come amid broader efforts to strengthen India’s aviation and logistics infrastructure. The government has been seeking greater integration of air transport with the country’s wider logistics network as trade and manufacturing activity expand. The reported growth in air cargo activity and planned investments in dedicated facilities indicate that freight capacity is becoming an increasingly important component of India’s aviation infrastructure. However, the effectiveness of the expansion will depend on how efficiently new cargo facilities are integrated with road, rail, customs and other parts of the supply chain. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates
Munich Airport has reinforced its long-standing Sister Airport partnership with Japan's Chubu Centrair International Airport (Centrair), hosting a high-level delegation for a multi-day knowledge exchange focused on innovation, operational excellence, digital transformation and future airport development. The delegation, led by Centrair President & CEO Hironori Kagohashi, was welcomed by Munich Airport CEO, Jost Lammers as both airports reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening international collaboration and sharing best practices across airport operations, passenger services and commercial development. Highlighting the significance of the partnership, Lammers said that by sharing experiences and learning from one another, we can jointly develop innovative solutions, enhance operational excellence and continuously elevate the travel experience for our passengers. The partnership between Centrair and Munich Airport is a strong example of how airports can create value through international cooperation and prepare airports for the future. A key component of the visit was an extensive workshop programme hosted by the Munich Airport Academy, where specialists from both airports discussed a broad range of strategic priorities. Among the topics were long-term capacity planning, Munich Airport's planned extension of the T-shaped pier at Terminal 2, and strategies to efficiently manage seasonal traffic peaks and demand associated with major international events. The discussions also focused on preparations for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, which are expected to generate substantial passenger traffic across the region. Both airports explored operational planning approaches to maintain service quality while accommodating increased travel demand. Commercial strategy also formed part of the agenda, covering airport advertising, media and parking business models, alongside commercial opportunities linked to infrastructure expansion projects. Innovation in airside operations featured prominently during the exchange. Munich Airport shared updates on its autonomous cargo transport testing activities, reflecting the growing role of automation in enhancing logistics efficiency and airside operations. In return, Centrair presented progress on its Smart Ramp initiative, including the deployment of autonomous vehicle technologies designed to improve safety, productivity and operational performance. Digital transformation was another central theme, with experts comparing automated passenger processing systems and Fast Travel solutions aimed at streamlining airport operations. The exchanges highlighted how automation, digitalization and intelligent infrastructure can help airports improve throughput, optimize resources and deliver a more seamless passenger journey. Therefore, this collaboration underscores the value of the Sister Airport network, an international alliance that includes Munich Airport, Denver International Airport, Chubu Centrair International Airport, Airports of Thailand (Bangkok), Singapore Changi Airport, Beijing Capital International Airport and Airports Company South Africa. By leveraging collective expertise, member airports continue to develop innovative solutions that support sustainable growth, operational resilience and the evolving needs of global aviation, air cargo and passenger mobility. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Lufthansa Cargo reported a 47% year-on-year increase in adjusted EBIT for the first half of 2026, reaching €199 million, as stronger cargo demand and higher network capacity supported improved financial performance. Revenue also increased 16% during the period. The cargo carrier benefited from continued demand across key international markets while expanding available freight capacity through the broader Lufthansa Group network. The company said improved operational performance and network optimisation contributed to the earnings growth. During the first half, Lufthansa Cargo also advanced strategic initiatives under its LCCevo and GlobeCross programmes, which are focused on operational efficiency, digitalisation and network development. The company indicated that both programmes achieved key milestones during the reporting period. Despite the strong cargo performance, the wider Lufthansa Group has highlighted continued uncertainty in the aviation sector due to geopolitical developments, fuel price volatility and broader market conditions. These factors remain potential risks for airline profitability during the remainder of the year. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates.
