HKIA gears up for LNY

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is preparing for the annual Lunar New Year rush, when about 800 extra passenger flights are scheduled to depart and arrive between February 13 and March 1.
The number of departing passenger flights is expected to peak on February 18, the first day of the New Year, when additional flights will comprise more than 10 percent of the day’s total.
Commercial director Hans Bakker said, “Facilities in Terminal 1 approach saturation during Lunar New Year and other peak travel periods. The phased opening of Terminal 2 allows us to better serve existing traffic and meet future demand.”
From February 12-25, the “God of Fortune” will be greeting passengers. Traditional lion dances will also be performed to bring good luck and happiness to local and international travellers.
Throughput at HKIA reached 3.53 million passengers in January 2007, an increase of 0.7percent over January 2006. January 2006 was particularly busy as the Lunar New Year fell in that month, partially accounting for the modest year-on-year growth.
In the past 12 months, HKIA passenger traffic rose to 44.48 million, 7.9 percent higher than the same period last year.