Hong Kong is capitalising on the recent hosting of the JCtrans Global Freight Forwarders Expo and International Air Transport Association (IATA) Aviation Day at AsiaWorld-Expo with three new aviation events scheduled over the coming months.
The Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference will be held in November, while the IATA World Cargo Symposium, Aero-Engines Asia-Pacific and Super Terminal Expo will all be staged in Hong Kong for the first time in 2024.
“We are thrilled that Hong Kong has become the destination of choice for multiple aviation and logistic events,” said Kenneth Wong, Hong Kong Tourism Board’s general manager for MICE.
“The city’s status as an aviation hub with a globally connected transportation network, a future-proof Airport City development, top-notch convention venues and a gateway to the GBA makes it a strategic choice in the region to host major industry events.”
Hong Kong is within five hours’ flight of half of the world’s population, with Hong Kong International Airport frequently ranked among the world’s busiest international passenger airports as it hosts some 120 airlines.
The airport is undergoing an expansion strategy that will increase capacity by 50 per cent to be able to serve 120 million passengers and 10 million tonnes of cargo annually.
As part of the Airport City development, AWE, which is located next to the international airport, is expanding to house the city’s largest indoor arena with over 20,000 seats, thus attracting more large-scale events to stage in town.
The IATA World Cargo Symposium 2024 is expected to attract over 1,000 attendees from around the world.
“Hong Kong has the elements needed to retain its status as an important aviation hub for both passengers and air cargo,” said Conrad Clifford, IATA’s deputy director general and corporate secretary.
“This includes having a strong hub airline, Cathay Pacific, as well as having the experience and expertise in handling perishable goods, lithium batteries and other dangerous cargo.
“I am confident that Hong Kong’s traffic will return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024, three years earlier than previously expected. This is in line with expectations of a faster recovery in the Asia-Pacific region.”
