Hong Kong to Host Routes World 2025

Dark/Light Mode (10/05/24)  The vibrant city of Hong Kong has been confirmed as the host destination for Routes World 2025.

The annual airline route development and airport services conference and exhibition will be hosted by Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) with support from the Hong Kong Tourism Board at AsiaWorld-Expo from 24 to 26 September 2025.

Routes World unites decision makers from airlines, airports and the destinations they serve, with negotiations taking place that will define future air connectivity around the globe.

The 30th edition of the event is expected to attract VPs and heads of network planning from over 260 of the world’s leading and fastest-growing airlines.

“The application process to host Routes World 2025 was incredibly competitive. We are delighted to announce that we will be uniting the global route development community in Hong Kong for our 30th edition of the event,” said Steven Small, Director of Routes. “Half of the world’s population lives within a 5-hour flight of Hong Kong International Airport. With decision makers from over 130 countries expected to attend, Hong Kong will showcase the significant infrastructure developments to the people who decide where the world’s aircraft fly.”

Hong Kong Island and Victoria Habour. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com

HKIA handled 4.36 million passengers and 29,840 flight movements in March 2024, year-on-year increases of 56.7% and 48.2%, respectively.

Cargo throughput at HKIA registered a year-on-year increase of 15.1% to 428,000 tonnes in March. HKIA has now posted double-digit year-on-year growth in cargo each month in 2024, on the back of another successful year in 2023 for which HKIA was once again named the busiest cargo airport in the world by Airports Council International.

Export traffic has been the main driver, recording a 23.7% increase in March compared to the same month last year. Among key trading regions, cargo traffic to and from North America, Europe and the Middle East rose most significantly during the month.

For the first quarter of the year, the airport handled 12.7 million passengers, marking an increase of 81.7% compared to the low base during the same period in 2023. Flight movements registered a year-on-year increase of 63.7% to 86,210. Cargo volume rose by 18.9% year-on-year to more than 1.1 million tonnes.

On a 12-month rolling basis, passenger volume was 45.2 million, or 264.5% higher than the previous comparable period. Flight movements and cargo throughput saw year-on-year increases of 92.1% and 9.1% to 309,650 and 4.5 million tonnes, respectively.

“Routes World is a prestigious international event which will bring together over 3,000 industry leaders representing airports, airlines and other key stakeholders. This aligns perfectly with our commitment to strengthening Hong Kong’s position as an international aviation hub, connecting people in this world-class metropolis that embraces business opportunities, cultural diversity and social vibrancy,” said Vivian Cheung, Chief Operating Officer of Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK). “We look forward to welcoming our guests from around the globe to visit and explore Hong Kong, and we hope that through this event, more routes can be opened connecting our city with more destinations.”

With the completion of the Three-runway System (3RS) expected by the end of 2024, HKIA’s long-term strategy focuses on attracting airlines to open new destinations and leveraging the market potential of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and Mainland China.

Following the full completion of the 3RS, the airport will have more slots, allowing new markets such as the Belt and Road Initiative Countries and the Middle East to connect to Hong Kong.

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