HONG KONG airport's Asia Airfreight Terminal (AAT) handled 42,025 tonnes in February, showing a 0.3 per cent decline year on year.
AAT handled 26,180 tonnes of export cargo, shrinking six per cent year on year. But import cargo volume for February rose 10 per cent to 15,278 tonnes, and transshipment cargo soared 79 per cent to 568 tonnes in the same period.
Cumulative export volume from January to February 2011 increased 13 per cent year on year to 68,382 tonnes. Total import volume for first two months also increased 13 per cent year on year to 33,219 tonnes, and transshipment cargo volume since January surged 115 per cent year on year to 1,222 tonnes.
"The month with Chinese New Year is usually a slower month. In the face of increased oil prices, this slowdown may linger, and it is going to bring new challenges for growth," said AAT general manager for corporate development Nelson Lee.