Hong Kong airport climbed to the top spot for freight in 2010 with volumes surging by 23 percent to 4.17 million tonnes, according to a survey of 900 airports by Airports Council International(ACI).

Hong Kong airport propelled past Memphis International, FedEx Corp's main hub, which had a 5.9 percent increase in freight to 3.9 million tonnes, reported China Daily.

Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways became the world's biggest international air-cargo carrier in 2010, supplanting Korean Air Lines, helped by exports from the neighboring Pearl River Delta.

Shanghai was the world's third-busiest cargo airport last year, when it also became the busiest container port. China boosted exports of electronics, clothes and other goods 31 percent in 2010, while the rising number of millionaires is also spurring inbound shipments of luxury goods and fresh food.

Global cargo rose 15 percent based on results from more than 900 airports, ACI said.