The Cathay Group closed 2025 with robust traffic figures, reflecting sustained recovery momentum across both passenger and cargo operations and reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a critical aviation and logistics gateway.
During the year-end peak travel period, the Group reached a new operational milestone. Cathay Pacific and HK Express together carried more than 125,000 passengers in a single day on 27 December 2025, the highest daily total in the Group’s history at the time. That figure was surpassed just days later, on 3 January 2026, when combined daily traffic exceeded 126,000 passengers, underscoring the strength of demand heading into the new year.
For the full year 2025, the two passenger airlines transported over 36 million passengers, marking a 27% year-on-year increase. This growth was supported by a substantial restoration of capacity, with Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs) rising more than 25% compared with 2024. On the cargo side, Cathay Cargo carried over 1.6 million tonnes of freight during the year—an increase of more than 9% year-on-year—highlighting continued resilience in air freight demand across key trade lanes.
Lavinia Lau, Cathay’s Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, said December traditionally represents the busiest period for the Group’s travel business, with strong demand driving record daily passenger volumes. She noted that as Cathay moves into 2026—its 80th anniversary year—the airline remains focused on enhancing customer experience while reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as a leading international aviation hub.
Cathay Pacific: Peak Travel Demand Drives December Gains
Cathay Pacific recorded a 22% increase in passengers in December 2025 compared with the same month a year earlier, while ASKs grew 23%. For the full year, the carrier achieved a 27% rise in passenger numbers.
Traffic flows during December reflected typical peak-season patterns. Early in the month, inbound demand to Hong Kong was driven by visiting-friends-and-relatives (VFR) traffic and students returning from North America, Oceania, and the United Kingdom. This was followed by higher inbound flows from Northeast Asia, Thailand, and Indiaduring the year-end holiday period. Outbound leisure demand surged over the holidays, particularly to Northeast and Southeast Asia, while destinations across the Chinese Mainland also saw strong uptake from Hong Kong travellers.
Advance bookings for the Lunar New Year period are building, with Cathay targeting additional demand linked to major regional events through the first quarter, ahead of the Easter leisure peak. The airline also recently secured a ranking among the world’s top two safest full-service airlines for 2026, reinforcing its operational credentials.
Cathay Cargo: Perishables and Machinery Support Growth
Cathay Cargo reported a 6% year-on-year increase in tonnage in December, while Available Freight Tonne Kilometres (AFTKs) rose 8%. Although December volumes were marginally lower than November—down 3%—overall demand remained solid.
Perishables were a key growth driver. The Cathay Fresh solution saw strong uptake, supported by the Air-Land Fresh Lane that facilitates seasonal produce shipments from the Americas into the Greater Bay Area. Additional perishables flows from Oceania to Hong Kong further supported volumes. Meanwhile, the Cathay Expert service performed well in Northeast Asia, driven by regional machinery movements.
Looking ahead, Cathay expects softer cargo demand in early January, with volumes likely to strengthen again as the Lunar New Year approaches.
HK Express: Network Expansion Sustains Momentum
HK Express carried more than 780,000 passengers in December, a 24% year-on-year increase, with ASKs up 19%. For the full year, the low-cost carrier achieved 30% passenger growth, reflecting continued network development and strong load factors.
The airline is expected to sustain year-on-year growth as it expands its route footprint. HK Express also received recognition as the world’s safest low-cost airline for the second consecutive year, underscoring its commitment to operational safety.
Together, the Group’s December results and full-year figures signal broad-based recovery across both passenger and cargo segments, with capacity expansion, specialised cargo solutions, and network growth positioning Cathay to capture further demand in 2026.
