Cathay Group logs double-digit traffic growth in May

Dhaka: The Cathay Group, comprising Cathay Pacific and HK Express, carried a combined total of over 3.3 million passengers in May, marking a 14% year-on-year increase, while Cathay Cargo handled more than 150,000 tonnes of cargo, up 11% from May 2025.

The group said the growth came despite continued pressure from high jet fuel prices, as both its passenger and cargo businesses maintained momentum through the month.

The carrier is also expanding its global network. Cathay Pacific recently announced plans to launch direct flights to Almaty, Kazakhstan, in the first quarter of 2027, marking its first destination in Central Asia. HK Express will begin daily direct flights to Wuxi, China, in July.

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific carried 17% more passengers in May compared to the same month last year, while Available Seat Kilometers (ASKs) rose by 10%. For the first five months of 2026, passenger numbers climbed 19% year-on-year.

The airline attributed the strong performance to robust traffic as Asian travelers returned from Golden Week and other holiday trips early in the month, followed by strong demand from Hong Kong's home market during the Buddha's Birthday long weekend in late May.

Increased connecting traffic through Hong Kong, as travelers sought alternative hubs amid the Middle East situation, also contributed to a network-wide load factor of 87%. Premium cabins continued to see high demand from business and premium leisure travelers.

The airline expects a positive outlook for the summer travel peak, particularly on long-haul routes, while bookings for short-haul destinations are picking up pace.

Cathay Cargo

Cathay Cargo handled 11% more freight in May than in the same month of 2025, while Available Freight Tonne Kilometers (AFTKs) grew by 6%. Total tonnage for the first five months of 2026 rose 8% compared with the same period last year.

The cargo unit's growth was driven by strong demand on key trade lanes, particularly between mainland China and Southeast Asia. Its Cathay Expert solution benefited from semiconductor and server shipments within Asia and to the Americas, while pharmaceutical exports from Europe to mainland China boosted the Cathay Pharma business line.

The carrier expects air cargo demand to remain resilient going into June and said it will continue monitoring market developments.

HK Express

HK Express carried more than 670,000 passengers in May, a 5% year-on-year increase, while ASKs grew by 4%. For the January-May period, passenger numbers rose 12% compared with the same stretch in 2025.

Demand for the airline's Southeast Asia routes, particularly to Thailand and the Philippines, stayed strong beyond the Easter holidays and into May. Its Beijing (Daxing) service also performed well, with a load factor exceeding 90%.

Looking toward the summer season, HK Express said it is seeing a healthy increase in bookings across various routes.