Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) continues to record robust growth in passenger and cargo throughput in November, with passenger traffic reaching 3.67 million, up 9 percent year-on-year, the Hong Kong Airport Authority announced here Sunday.

Thanks to the upbeat economy in the region, the growth was mainly attributed to the increase in visitor traffic, especially those from the Chinese mainland and Southeast Asia, the airport authority said in a statement.

During the traditional cargo peak time of November, cargo throughput grew to 342,000 tons, up 7.2 percent year-on-year. Aircraft movements also recorded a healthy growth of 3.8 percent to 23,790 movements.

Passenger traffic is expected to be particularly busy during the Christmas and New Year period. Just a week away from Christmas, Airport Management Director of the Airport Authority Howard Eng said: "The airport community is excited about welcoming travelers, shoppers, meeters and greeters alike with a whole range of events and activities especially prepared for the festive season."

In the past 12 months, passenger traffic rose to 44.1 million, up 8.9 percent over the same period last year. Cargo throughput and aircraft movements rose 5.9 percent and 7.2 percent, to 3.6 million and 279,730, respectively.

Source: Xinhua