Cathay Group passenger traffic climbs 24% in March, cargo volumes rise 11%

Passenger demand was supported by shifts in travel flows linked to the Middle East situation.

Cathay Group delivered a strong March performance, with Cathay Pacific and HK Express carrying 24% and 22% more passengers year on year, respectively, whilst cargo volumes rose 11%, according to its latest traffic update released on 17 April.

Cathay Pacific Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said in a media statement that passenger demand was supported by shifts in travel flows linked to the Middle East situation, whilst cargo growth reflected broad-based demand across key regions.

Cathay Pacific recorded a 24% YoY increase in passengers in March, with available seat kilometres (ASKs) up 9%. For the first quarter, passenger numbers rose 20% compared with the same period in 2025.

HK Express carried more than 750,000 passengers in March, up 22% YoY, whilst ASKs increased 12%. First-quarter passenger numbers rose 18% YoY.

Cathay Cargo reported an 11% increase in tonnage in March, whilst available freight tonne kilometres (AFTKs) rose 2%. First-quarter cargo volumes were up 8% year on year.

Lau said demand for premium cabins remained strong, supported by events including Art Basel Hong Kong and the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, as well as regional holiday travel periods.

The group also cited higher jet fuel costs as a key operating pressure in their media statement. 

Based on International Air Transport Association (IATA) data, the global average jet fuel price rose to $1549.61 (USD197.83) per barrel for the week ending 10 April, compared with $783.31 (USD99.40) per barrel for the week ending 27 February.

Cathay said it will consolidate a small number of passenger flights from mid-May to end-June, affecting around 2% of Cathay Pacific’s frequencies and around 6% of HK Express services during the period.

Passenger services to Dubai and Riyadh will remain suspended until 30 June, whilst freighter services to both destinations are suspended until 31 May.

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