Cathay Pacific sees good growth in pax numbers

Cathay Pacific carried 12% more passengers in September 2026 compared with September 2025, while Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs) increased by 9%. In the first nine months of 2026, the number of passengers carried increased by 14% compared with the same period for 2025. Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said: “September is traditionally a quieter month for travel following the summer peak. Nevertheless, we continued to see year-on-year growth in passengers as well as cargo carried as a Group, although jet fuel prices remain at elevated levels. Cathay Pacific and HK Express together carried approximately three million passengers in September, marking a 9% increase compared with the same period last year. Meanwhile, driven by resilient cargo demand, Cathay Cargo carried over 150,000 tonnes of cargo, up 14% year on year. “We celebrated Cathay’s 80th anniversary on 24 September with two special dance performances involving members of our cabin crew, sharing this memorable moment with the people of Hong Kong and visitors from around the world. During the month, we also received two important industry accolades, with Cathay Pacific named among the Top 3 World’s Best Airlines by Skytrax and Cathay Cargo named ATW’s Cargo Operator of the Year. These recognitions reinforce our vision of becoming our customers’ most loved service brand, and our determination to strengthen Hong Kong’s international aviation hub status.” Lau added: “September saw strong outbound student traffic from Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland to long-haul markets ahead of the new school year, with our flights to the United Kingdom achieving particularly high load factors. This was followed by robust leisure travel demand from the Chinese Mainland to Hong Kong as well as various short-haul destinations towards the end of the month during the Mid-Autumn Festival and in the lead up to the National Day ‘Golden Week’ holiday period. Meanwhile, demand for our premium cabins extended into September, reflecting sustained momentum in both business and premium leisure travel. Looking ahead, we expect demand to remain healthy in the fourth quarter.” Media Information Cathay Cargo Cathay Cargo carried 14% more cargo in September 2026 than in September 2025, while Available Freight Tonne Kilometres (AFTKs) increased by 5%. In the first nine months of 2026, the total tonnage increased by 9% compared with the same period for 2025. Lavinia said: “We continued to see year-on-year tonnage growth in September, with demand remaining resilient from the Chinese Mainland and Southeast Asia. In terms of our specialist solutions, Cathay Priority maintained its momentum, boosted by time-critical shipments from Southeast Asia, while continued semiconductor flows underpinned strong demand for our Cathay Expert solution. Looking ahead, we expect demand to strengthen further as we approach the traditional year-end air cargo peak season, supported by a positive market outlook for the fourth quarter.” HK Express HK Express carried more than 520,000 passengers in September 2026, a decrease of 1% year on year, while Available Seat Kilometers (ASKs) increased by 10%. In the first nine months of 2026, the number of passengers carried increased by 8% compared with the same period for 2025. Lavinia said: “Demand for HK Express softened in September following the summer travel peak. That being said, our Philippines routes performed well with high load factors, while our Chinese Mainland routes continued to record year-on-year passenger growth with an encouraging outlook. We will be launching a new four-times-weekly service to Hefei from 3 December, further expanding our Chinese Mainland network.” 國泰集團公布2026年9月份客貨運量資料 集團客、貨運業務持續錄得按年增長 國泰集團今天公布2026年9月份客、貨運量資料。 國泰顧客及商務總裁劉凱詩表示：「暑期旅遊旺季過後，9月的客運需求相對淡靜。儘管如此，集團整體客貨運量繼續錄得按年增長，而航空燃油價格則維持高企。月內，國泰航空與香港快運合共接載約300萬人次乘客，較去年同期增加9%。與此同時，國泰貨運受惠於貨運需求穩健，於9月運載逾15萬噸貨物，按年上升14%。 「我們於9月24日慶祝國泰成立80周年，透過兩場機艙服務員有份參與的精彩舞蹈表演，與香港市民及來自世界各地的旅客一同分享這個難忘時刻。月內，我們亦獲得兩項重要的業界殊榮，包括國泰航空獲Skytrax評選為『全球最佳航空公司』三甲，而國泰貨運則榮膺ATW『年度最佳貨運營運商』。這些肯定進一步鞏固我們致力成為顧客最喜愛服務品牌的願景，以及持續提升香港國際航空樞紐地位的決心。」 國泰航空 國泰航空於2026年9月份的載客量較2025年同月增加12%，可用座位公里數按年增長9%。在2026年首9個月，載客量較2025年同期增加了14%。 劉凱詩表示：「隨著新學年臨近，9月由香港及中國內地前往長途目的地的留學生乘客需求強健，其中前往英國的航班載客率表現尤為亮眼。至月底，受中秋節及『國慶黃金周』假期帶動，由中國內地前往香港及多個短途目的地的休閒旅遊需求強健。與此同時，商務及高端休閒旅客對前艙的殷切需求延續至9月。展望未來，我們預期第四季的客運需求將維持穩健。」 新聞資料 國泰貨運 國泰貨運於2026年9月的載貨量較2025年同月增加14%，可用貨物噸公里數按年增長5%。在2026年首9個月，載貨量較去年同期增加了9%。 劉凱詩表示：「9月的載貨量繼續錄得按年增長，來自中國內地及東南亞市場的貨運需求保持強韌。專業貨運方案方面，東南亞對具時效的運輸解決方案需求殷切，帶動『國泰優先運送』方案延續良好表現。同時，半導體運輸需求持續強健亦推動『國泰－特殊貨物運送』業務增長。展望未來，隨著傳統年末航空貨運旺季臨近，加上第四季度市場前景向好，我們預期貨運需求將進一步增長。」 香港快運 香港快運於2026年9月接載逾52萬人次乘客，較2025年同月微跌1%，可用座位公里數按年增加10%。在2026年首9個月，載客量較去年同期增加了8%。 劉凱詩表示：「隨著暑期旅遊旺季結束，香港快運的客運需求於9月有所放緩。菲律賓航線表現理想，載客率保持於高位；中國內地航線的載客量亦繼續錄得按年增長，其前景令人鼓舞。我們亦將於12月3日開辦每周四班往來合肥的新航線，進一步拓展中國內地航線網絡。」 For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]