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03-Aug-04 Fusion Consulting, a business intelligence consultancy whose senior directors have previously advised DHL, Hong Kong Speedpost and Motorola on air cargo and supply chain strategies, predicts that growth in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) will bolster rather than challenge Hong Kong’s position as the world’s leading cargo airport. Ms. Renia Lopez, head of the Logistics industry practice at Fusion Consulting, said, “As more high value-added, luxury and time-dependent products are manufactured in Southern China it is expected that the volume of air cargo exports via Hong Kong will increase. However, with four other cargo airports operating in the Pearl River Delta region – Baiyun, Macau, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai – how much of this future growth Hong Kong International Airport can assume is not immediately obvious. Hong Kong’s landing charges are currently much higher than those of the four mainland airports, but Hong Kong does not see a threat – just yet. On the contrary, it seems that these airports will actually help to bring in more business for Hong Kong, and that there might not be enough air cargo capacity in the PRD to deal with the growth forecasted.” As a result, according to Fusion Consulting, the five PRD airports are moving towards a model of greater cooperation within the region. In 2002 they began by creating the A5 Forum, with a view towards collaboration on training, security, promotion, emergency support and passenger and cargo processing. The Hong Kong Airport Authority is also discussing specific co-operation proposals with Shenzhen and Zhuhai, aiming to attract more passengers and cargo from within the PRD. In 2003, the PRD region, comprising nine southern provinces and the two Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, registered a collective GDP of US$630 billion, accounting for about 40 per cent of China’s total economic output. This regional GDP is forecast to exceed US$1 trillion by 2010 and US$2 trillion by 2020. Hong Kong International Airport is now first in the world in terms of international air cargo throughput, and this trade is dominated by high-value goods: while air cargo accounts for 1% of the total cargo tonnage, with sea and land making up the rest, it accounts for 29% of the total trade value. In 2003, air cargo throughput in Hong Kong reached 2.6 million tonnes, worth US$116 billion, and it continues to increase rapidly. June 2004 saw a 24% rise in the throughput of cargo handled over June 2003, due to strong demand from US and European markets, according to the Hong Kong Airport Authority. The original design of the airport planned for 9 million tonnes of cargo, to be handled by 28 stands. But with 21 stands currently handling less than 3 million tonnes a year, the airport would need 72 stands to handle the projected 9 million tonnes. Ms. Lopez continued, “The main air cargo industry players believe there will be enough growth for all of them to take a chunk of the market, and for Hong Kong to continue being the world’s number one cargo airport, as long as industry participants work together to maintain the high quality of service that the territory is known for. The only question will be whether to be a hub for China or for the Asia-Pacific region.” About Fusion Consulting For more information, please contact Fusion Consulting at
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