HONG KONG: Passenger traffic at Hong Kong International Airport rose 11.7% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, reflecting stronger visitor demand and a busy schedule of events in the Asian financial hub.

Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan said the city was continuing to strengthen its position as an international aviation hub.

The airport handled more than 200,000 aircraft movements between January and June, an increase of 4.4% from the same period a year earlier. Passenger traffic reached 32.8 million during the six-month period, Chan said in a blog post on Sunday.

Visitor arrivals also recorded strong growth. Hong Kong welcomed 31.2 million visitors during the first seven months of 2026, up 12% year-on-year, according to Chan.

The increase in passenger and visitor numbers highlights the continued recovery and expansion of Hong Kong’s aviation and tourism sectors, supported by a wider range of events and increased international travel demand.

Source: Emirates News Agency

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia: King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah handled approximately 28.55 million passengers on 169,900 flights between the beginning of 2026 and the end of July, according to an airport performance report.

The airport also processed 33.6 million bags during the seven-month period, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The performance report was reviewed by Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz during a meeting attended by Jeddah Airports Company CEO Mazen Johar.

The airport recorded its highest daily passenger traffic on January 17, when around 195,300 passengers passed through its facilities.

During the 1447 AH Umrah season, King Abdulaziz International Airport served approximately 6.16 million passengers on 36,400 flights and handled 7.2 million bags. More than 10,000 employees from various agencies were deployed at the airport during the season.

The report also highlighted the airport’s role during the 1447 AH Hajj season. More than 1.67 million pilgrims traveled through the airport during the arrival and departure phases, with more than 9,600 flights operated and approximately 2.76 million bags handled.

Ground transportation also played a significant role in moving pilgrims during Hajj. Buses carried around 821,700 pilgrims across 22,855 trips, while the Haramain High Speed Railway transported approximately 48,200 pilgrims on 207 trips.

The figures underscore the airport’s importance as a major gateway for pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah and Hajj, as well as its role in handling growing passenger demand throughout the year.

Source: TradeArabia

HONG KONG: Passenger traffic at Hong Kong International Airport rose 11.7% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, reflecting stronger visitor demand and a busy schedule of events in the Asian financial hub.

Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan said the city was continuing to strengthen its position as an international aviation hub.

The airport handled more than 200,000 aircraft movements between January and June, an increase of 4.4% from the same period a year earlier. Passenger traffic reached 32.8 million during the six-month period, Chan said in a blog post on Sunday.

Visitor arrivals also recorded strong growth. Hong Kong welcomed 31.2 million visitors during the first seven months of 2026, up 12% year-on-year, according to Chan.

The increase in passenger and visitor numbers highlights the continued recovery and expansion of Hong Kong’s aviation and tourism sectors, supported by a wider range of events and increased international travel demand.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Incheon International Airport, South Korea’s main gateway to Seoul, ranked first worldwide for international passenger traffic during the first half of 2026, marking the first time it has reached the top position since opening in 2001.

The airport recorded 38.39 million international passengers between January and June, an increase of 6.3% from the same period a year earlier, according to Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC).

Preliminary data from the Airports Council International (ACI), covering 1,234 airports worldwide, placed Incheon ahead of London Heathrow Airport, which handled 37.79 million international passengers, and Singapore Changi Airport, with 34.53 million.

Incheon’s position in the global rankings has steadily improved over the past two decades. It stood 10th in 2002 with 20.55 million international passengers, climbed to fifth in 2018 with 67.68 million, and reached third place in 2024 after recording 70.67 million passengers.

The latest figures underscore Incheon Airport’s growing role as a major international aviation hub and reflect continued growth in cross-border passenger demand.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

Salalah Airport recorded a 7% increase in arriving flights during the 2026 Dhofar Khareef season, with 1,758 flights landing between June 21 and July 31, compared with 1,637 during the same period last year.

Data from Oman Airports showed that arriving passenger numbers also increased, reaching 154,529, up from 142,488 in 2025.

The increase of 12,041 passengers represents growth of approximately 8% year on year.

The rise in air traffic coincides with the 2026 Dhofar Khareef season, which continues to draw visitors from across Oman and overseas to experience the governorate’s distinctive monsoon climate and lush landscapes.

Salalah Airport remains an important gateway for tourism in Dhofar, where passenger numbers and travel activity typically increase significantly during the annual khareef season.

The latest figures point to continued growth in passenger demand and air connectivity during one of the region’s busiest tourism periods.

Source: ZAWYA