Hongkong Post handles record 103 million mail items
Overwhelming amount of airmail sent and received this year, much of it from e-traders, help keep the city's postal services thriving
Hongkong Post handled a record number of letters and parcels this year, much of it airmail from e-traders, despite long-held fears that the internet would spell the death of global postal services.
Between April and October, more than 103 million items were sent by mail, up from 91.7 million in the same period last year.
"It seems the increase is mainly bulk airmail and registered mail, likely from e-traders," a spokeswoman said.
The increase forced the post office to warn its customers that their presents and cards might arrive late because of insufficient air-cargo space, although the spokeswoman said the move was simply to notify people of possible delays.
"During the peak period starting in September, we have been able to meet the standards pledged for outward airmail traffic," she said.
She added that it was not certain if more foreign workers from financially troubled euro-zone countries coming to work in the city and sending things back home had contributed to the airmail increase.