The Civil Aviation Department handled 971 flight movements at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday, breaking the record of 945 from March 21. The figure exceeded the daily average of 810 movements by 19.8%.

Yesterday's surge was due to flights disrupted by Tropical Storm Neoguri Saturday. Sixty-six flights were diverted to alternate airports.

Another 491 flights moved through the Hong Kong region yesterday, leading to the department's handling of 1,462 flights within a 24-hour period.