The Airport Authority has announced revenue of nearly $4.2 billion for the six months ended September 30, up 10.1% from the corresponding period last year. Profits for the period reached nearly $1.14 billion, up 14.4%.

Total passenger throughput grew 7.1% to 24.3 million, cargo volume grew 5.8% to 1.88 million tonnes, and air-traffic movements rose 6% to 149,030.

"After a lacklustre first quarter, we saw solid increases in cargo throughput from April to September. Strong and sustained economic growth on the Mainland and in Hong Kong generated demand for aviation services," Airport Authority Chief Executive Officer Stanley Hui said.

$4.5b for expansion

The airport will soon serve more than 50 million passengers a year, with continued steady growth in passenger volumes, Mr Hui said. He added Terminal 2's passenger throughput is on target.

Airport Authority Finance Director Raymond Lai said the authority translated robust air traffic flows into solid revenue and profit growth through prudent financial discipline.