Cathay Cargo is set to enhance its regional airfreight capacity with the addition of an Airbus A330 Passenger-to-Freighter (A330P2F) aircraft to be operated by Air Hong Kong, reinforcing the Cathay Group’s long-term growth strategy and supporting Hong Kong’s position as a leading global cargo hub.
The additional freighter will join Air Hong Kong’s fleet in the fourth quarter of 2026 under a long-term lease agreement with Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) for an aircraft owned by its leasing subsidiary, Cargo Aircraft Management (CAM).
The aircraft will primarily serve routes across the Chinese Mainland and regional Asian markets, providing Cathay Cargo with greater flexibility to meet increasing demand and expand its short- and medium-haul freight network.
The latest fleet enhancement follows Cathay Cargo’s recent commitment to expand its future-generation freighter capabilities with additional Airbus A350F aircraft. The Cathay Group continues to invest significantly in strengthening its cargo and passenger operations, with a broader investment programme exceeding HK$100 billion focused on fleet expansion, digital innovation, and customer experience enhancements.
Dominic Perret, Director Cargo at Cathay, said the new aircraft represents another step in the group’s strategy to build a more agile and resilient cargo operation.
“The Cathay Group is strengthening our freighter fleet to support Cathay Cargo’s capacity growth plans, strengthen our network, and reinforce Hong Kong’s status as the world’s leading air cargo hub,” said Perret.
He added that the A330P2F will complement Cathay Cargo’s future A350F fleet, providing additional operational flexibility and enabling the carrier to offer enhanced services and greater connectivity for freight forwarding partners.
For Air Hong Kong, the expansion marks an important milestone as the carrier broadens its operational role within the region. As Hong Kong’s first dedicated all-cargo airline and a member of the Cathay Group, Air Hong Kong will utilise the new capacity to capture emerging opportunities created by the Three-Runway System at Hong Kong International Airport.
Agatha Lee, Chief Operating Officer of Air Hong Kong, said the development reflects the airline’s ambitions to contribute to the continued growth of Hong Kong’s aviation and logistics ecosystem.
“This marks an exciting chapter for Air Hong Kong as we expand our business to support the ongoing development of the Hong Kong international aviation hub,” she said.
Air Hong Kong currently operates a fleet of 14 Airbus A330 freighters dedicated to express cargo operations for DHL Express, while Cathay Cargo maintains a fleet of 20 Boeing 747 freighters alongside access to belly cargo capacity across the wider Cathay Group passenger network serving more than 100 destinations worldwide.
The addition of the A330P2F further strengthens Cathay Cargo’s multi-fleet strategy, allowing the carrier to balance long-haul and regional freight requirements while responding to growing trade flows across Asia-Pacific. As global supply chains continue to evolve, investments in modern freighter capacity are expected to play a vital role in maintaining Hong Kong’s competitiveness as one of the world’s most important international cargo gateways.
