Passenger throughput and ATMs grew 5.7 percent and 5.6 percent from June 2006 to 3.85 million and 24,180, respectively, while cargo traffic increased 5.3 percent to 305,000 tons, according to figures released by Airport Authority Hong Kong.

"The continued rebound in cargo traffic is particularly pleasing, bearing in mind that air cargo is seasonally rather slow in the middle of the year," said Stanley Hui, Airport Authority Hong Kong Chief Executive Officer.

For the first six months of 2007, passenger volumes rose 6.4 percent to 22.7 million, while cargo traffic grew 1.5 percent to 1.7 million tons from the corresponding period in 2006. ATMs increased 4.4 percent to 143,000.

"Looking ahead, we expect robust passenger outbound volumes as Hong Kong people take summer holidays and strong inbound traffic from Europe, the mainland and Southeast Asia," said Hui.

For the 12 months ending on June 30, 2007, passenger and cargo traffic reached 45.8 million and 3.6 million tons, respectively, an increase of 7.4 percent and 2.8 percent from year-earlier figures. ATMs rose 4.1 percent to 287,000.