HONG KONG, Aug. 16 -- The Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) marked a new monthly record in passenger throughput in July, with the passenger volume rising 6.6 percent year-on-year to 6.0 million, it said here on Sunday.

The growth was mainly driven by transfer/transit traffic and Hong Kong resident traffic, which registered 12 percent and 11 percent growth, respectively, the HKIA said, adding passenger traffic to/from Southeast Asia and Japan recorded the most significant increases.

Flight movements in July increased 2.7 percent to 34,185 from a year ago, while cargo throughput fell 1.9 percent to 363,000 tones, mainly caused by a 5 percent year-on-year drop in transshipments.

For the first seven months of the year, the HKIA has welcomed 39.5 million passengers, up 8.7 percent from a year earlier. Flight movements climbed 4.2 percent to 233,805, while cargo throughput added 0.2 percent to 2.46 million tones.

Vivian Cheung, Deputy Director, Airport Operations of Airport Authority Hong Kong said the HKIA will continue to improve their facilities and services in order to enhance passengers' airport experience and to ensure traveling at the HKIA as easy as possible.