Dragonair's Passenger and Cargo Numbers Register Year-on-Year Increases

Both passenger numbers and cargo volume registered year-on-year increases for Dragonair in May 2006, rising 7.7% and 5.2% respectively.

The airline flew 450,509 passengers in the month, compared with 418,435 one year earlier. The number was 6.4% lower than the record set in April.

“The Labour Day Golden Week holiday saw a high level of leisure travel to Hong Kong, from both individual and group travellers, and especially from some of the secondary Mainland cities, such as Changsha, Chengdu, Nanjing and Xian,” said CEO Stanley Hui. “This highlights the success of the Individual Travel Scheme, which has made travel to Hong Kong from many inland cities easier.”

Meanwhile, Dragonair carried 30,876 tonnes of cargo in May, up 5.2% on last year and 8.7% lower than in April.

“Capacity was significantly reduced for the week-long holiday period at the start of the month as factory production was curtailed during the holiday period; seasonally May is also a slow time for freight, as reflected by the lower volume over the last month,” noted Mr. Hui.

He added, “We continue to face heavy cost pressures from the high price of oil. To help mitigate the impact, we were given approval to adjust up the passenger fuel surcharge with effect from 1 June. At the same time we continue to use and look for ways to help us conserve fuel in our daily operations.”

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