The air cargo and express industry in Hong Kong: economic contribution and competitiveness

With the support of DHL, FedEx, UPS, and TNT (Conference of Asia Pacific Express Carriers [CAPEC] members), we explore the economic contribution and competitiveness of Hong Kong's air freight and express industry. Our findings show that the industry makes a significant contribution to Hong Kong's economic development and employment. Secondary data analysis reveals that with the rapid development of several airports in the Pearl River Delta region, the competitive position of Hong Kong's air freight and express industry is declining. To identify factors affecting the industry's competitiveness, we conduct interviews and a large-scale survey. The data collected indicate that customer request, customs efficiency, cost, and fast and reliable delivery are the main factors that influence user decisions regarding shipping via Hong Kong. Holdups at China Customs constitute one of the main reasons for cross-border shipment delays and cause great monetary loss among shippers. We also provide recommendations for government policy makers and service providers.