The Hong Kong Airport Authority announced on the 25th that in the first five months of this year, the airport's passenger volume was 21 million, a jump of 58.9% compared to the same period in 2023. The number of aircraft takeoff and landing increased by 50.5% year-on-year to 145140, while the cargo volume increased by 18% year-on-year to over 1.9 million tons. The Civil Aviation Administration stated that benefiting from the Mainland Labor Day Golden Week holiday that began at the end of April, there was a significant increase in passenger traffic across all categories in May, with the highest increase recorded in travel to Southeast Asia, mainland China, and Japan. In May, the passenger volume handled by Hong Kong International Airport reached 4.07 million, with 29855 aircraft taking off and landing, an increase of 30.8% and 34.5% year-on-year, respectively. The freight volume in May increased by 19% year-on-year to 416000 tons, resulting in the airport's monthly freight volume continuing to record a double-digit year-on-year increase this year. The export freight volume increased by 30.1% compared to the same month last year, once again becoming the main driving force for the growth of freight volume. Among the major trading regions, there was a significant increase in freight volume between North America, Europe, and the Middle East during the month. The Airport Authority stated that in terms of expanding routes, Hong Kong Express Airlines opened a new direct flight service connecting Hong Kong International Airport and Sanya Phoenix International Airport in Hainan on May 10th, offering flights to and from the two places every Thursday, providing more choices for passengers traveling to Hainan. (Lai Xin She)