Hong Kong airport to pay first dividend in decade as profits surge 52.3%

Hong Kong International Airport has posted a net profit growth of 52.3 per cent to HK$2.45 billion (US$313 million) for the 2024-25 financial year, while also paying the government a HK$1.3 billion dividend, its first in a decade.

The Airport Authority also reported a 20 per cent growth in revenue to HK$16.4 billion. It started retaining operating surpluses in 2014-15 to finance the three-runway system project, but has acknowledged uncertainties remained amid geopolitical tensions.

In the financial year ending March 31, the airport handled 54.9 million passengers and 373,050 flight movements, representing year-on-year increases of 21.6 per cent and 20.5 per cent respectively.

But passenger numbers were still 73 per cent of 2018-19 levels, while aircraft movements were at 87 per cent.

But the airport maintained its position as the world’s busiest cargo airport for the 14th time since 2010. Its cargo throughput climbed by 10.3 per cent to 5 million tonnes, buoyed by robust e-commerce demand.

The airport’s network continues to expand, with 27 airlines launching new routes or increasing services to 56 destinations. By the end of the financial year, about 140 airlines were operating at the airport, connecting to more than 200 destinations worldwide.