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Cathay Cargo lifted 1.6 million tonnes in 2025, up 9% year-on-year
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Capacity expansion underpins growth heading into Cathay’s 80th anniversary year
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Cathay Pacific and HK Express carried 36 million passengers in 2025, up 27% year-on-year
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Record daily passenger traffic: 125,000 on December 27, 2025, surpassed by 126,000 on January 3, 2026
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Passenger capacity grew by 25% (ASKs) compared with 2024
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Cathay Pacific passenger traffic rose 22% in December 2025 vs. December 2024
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HK Express carried 780,000 passengers in December 2025, up 24% year-on-year
The Cathay Group reported strong growth in both passenger and cargo operations in 2025, transporting over 1.6 million tonnes of cargo and carrying more than 36 million passengers, supported by expanded capacity and robust demand during peak travel periods.
Cathay Cargo carried 6% more cargo in December 2025 than a year earlier, while available freight tonne kilometres (AFTKs) rose 8%.
For the full year, total cargo tonnage increased by more than 9% to over 1.6 million tonnes.
Cathay chief customer and commercial officer HK said demand for perishables and specialist cargo solutions remained strong, supported by seasonal produce movements from the Americas and Oceania as well as machinery shipments within Northeast Asia.
“Tonnage remained strong in December, despite a 3% decrease from the previous month as the festive season approached,” she said in a statement, noting expectations for softer demand early in January ahead of a pickup before the Chinese Lunar New Year.
READ: Cathay Cargo launches real-time customs tracking via IATA ONE Record
For passenger operations, the group reached a new milestone in December 2025, traditionally the busiest month for air travel, as Cathay Pacific and HK Express together carried more than 125,000 passengers on December 27, the highest single-day total in the group’s history.
“This record, however, was quickly surpassed as we started the new year with more than 126,000 passengers on 3 January 2026,” Lau said.
For the full year, Cathay Pacific and HK Express carried a combined total of more than 36 million passengers, a 27% increase from 2024, supported by a more than 25% expansion in available seat kilometres (ASKs).
READ: Cathay cargo volume rises 12% in Oct, passenger traffic up 21%
Stepping into 2026, the group is preparing to mark its 80th anniversary.
“As we mark this milestone, we remain committed to elevating our customer experience and reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as a leading international aviation hub, guided by our new vision of becoming our customers’ most loved service brand,” Lau said.
Cathay Pacific recorded a 22% increase in passengers carried in December 2025 compared with a year earlier, alongside a 23% rise in ASKs. For the full year, passenger numbers rose 27% year on year.
Lau said demand was driven by inbound traffic to Hong Kong from North America, Oceania and the United Kingdom early in December, followed by increased arrivals from Northeast Asia, Thailand and India over the year-end holidays. Outbound leisure travel surged during the peak season, particularly to destinations in Northeast and Southeast Asia, with the Chinese mainland emerging as a key market.
“Advance bookings for the Lunar New Year are accelerating as customers begin making travel plans following the year-end holidays,” Lau said, adding that demand from major regional events is expected to support traffic beyond February.
HK Express carried more than 780,000 passengers in December 2025, up 24% year on year, with ASKs increasing 19%. For the full year, passenger numbers rose 30% compared with 2024.
Lau said the airline is expected to sustain growth as it continues to expand its network, supported by strong travel demand and improved load factors during peak periods.
She also added that HK Express was named the world’s safest low-cost airline for the second consecutive year by Airline Ratings, reaffirming its commitment to operational safety.
