A record high 3.5 million passengers used Hong Kong International Airport in August, up 16.3% on the same month last year.

The Airport Authority said in the last 12 months, 35.5 million people passed through the airport, almost 30% more than the preceding 12 months.

Cargo throughput at 257,000 tonnes also continued strong growth in August, up 17.3% higher on the same month last year. In the past 12 months, 2.963 million tonnes of cargo moved through the airport, up 15.5% on the previous 12 months.

Exports (loaded cargo) grew 22.3% from last year to 164,000 tonnes, with demand still growing heavily in Europe, North America and the Mainland.

Stimulated by strong growth in cargo throughput, aircraft movements for the month rose by 21.5% to 20,560. There were 228,330 movements in the past 12 months, up 22.3%.