Cathay Group posts strong October growth as passenger and cargo demand surges

The Cathay Group reported a robust performance in October 2025, recording solid month-on-month growth across both its passenger and cargo operations and signalling strong momentum heading into the Christmas travel peak.

The Group’s airlines — Cathay Pacific and HK Express — carried more than 3.2 million passengers during the month, a 21% increase from September. Cargo volumes also rose, with Cathay Cargo transporting over 150,000 tonnes, up 12% compared with the previous month.

Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said demand remained strong across leisure, business, and cargo segments. Cathay Pacific carried 29% more passengers year-on-year in October, with Available Seat Kilometres up 26%. Load factor reached 86%, the airline’s highest for October in recent years, supported by holiday-driven traffic from the Chinese Mainland and sustained premium demand linked to major trade fairs including the Canton Fair, Electronics Fair and China Toy Fair.

Cargo operations also strengthened, rising 6% year-on-year, with demand buoyed by Cathay Fresh shipments of produce from Southeast Asia, Oceania and South America, and continued growth in Cathay Priority services for time-critical freight ahead of year-end sales events.

HK Express delivered similarly strong results, carrying more than 680,000 passengers — a 32% increase from October 2024 — with capacity up 34% year-on-year. Holiday demand during China’s National Day “Golden Week” helped keep the carrier’s load factor close to last year’s high.

Lau highlighted the Group’s continued network expansion, noting newly launched Cathay Pacific services to Changsha and Adelaide, and HK Express’ upcoming daily flights to Kota Kinabalu. During the winter peak, the Group will operate around 330 weekly return flights to the Chinese Mainland, nearly 100 to Oceania, and more than 430 to Southeast Asia.

She added that forward bookings for the festive season remain strong, particularly from long-haul markets including North America and Europe.