Cathay Group sets new passenger records as 2025 traffic surges

The Cathay Group closed 2025 with strong growth in both passenger and cargo traffic, setting new milestones during the year-end peak travel period.

In December 2025, Cathay Pacific and HK Express together carried more than 125,000 passengers on 27 December, the highest single-day total in the Group’s history. This record was surpassed shortly after, with over 126,000 passengers carried on 3 January 2026. For the full year, the two airlines transported more than 36 million passengers, up 27% year on year, supported by a capacity increase of over 25% in Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs).

Cargo performance also strengthened. Cathay Cargo carried more than 1.6 million tonnes in 2025, representing growth of over 9% compared with 2024, driven by strong demand for perishables and specialist logistics solutions.

Cathay Pacific saw a 22% year-on-year increase in passengers in December, with full-year passenger numbers up 27%. Demand was supported by inbound travel to Hong Kong from long-haul markets and regional Asia, as well as strong outbound leisure traffic, particularly to Northeast and Southeast Asia and the Chinese Mainland. Bookings for the Lunar New Year period are accelerating, and the airline was recently ranked among the world’s two safest full-service airlines for 2026 by Airline Ratings.

Cathay Cargo recorded a 6% increase in December tonnage year on year, despite a slight month-on-month seasonal slowdown. Growth in 2025 was supported by strong performance in fresh produce and specialist cargo, particularly across the Greater Bay Area, Oceania and Northeast Asia.

HK Express carried more than 780,000 passengers in December, up 24% year on year, and reported a 30% increase in passengers for the full year. The airline continues to benefit from robust leisure demand and network expansion, and was named the world’s safest low-cost airline for the second consecutive year.

Looking ahead to 2026, the Cathay Group will mark its 80th anniversary while focusing on enhancing the customer experience and reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a leading international aviation hub.