PRESS RELEASE
Overall, the Cathay Group remains optimistic about travel and cargo demand in 2026, supported by growing connectivity and strong regional travel trends
The Cathay Group has reported a strong start to 2026, with steady growth in both passenger and cargo traffic during January. The group’s two passenger airlines, Cathay Pacific and HK Express, carried more than 3.3 million passengers in the month, marking an 11% increase compared with January 2025. Cargo operations also performed well, with over 130,000 tonnes transported, up 5% year on year.
Lavinia Lau, Cathay’s Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, said the momentum from the busy year-end travel season continued into the new year. She added that February has also been positive, with the group setting new single-day passenger records. On 14 February, Cathay Pacific carried more than 100,000 passengers in a single day for the first time, while the group handled around 128,000 passengers across both airlines.
Cathay Pacific saw an 11% rise in passengers in January, supported by strong student travel, holiday return trips, and a rebound in business travel
Premium cabin demand improved compared with last year, and transit traffic increased as the airline added more flights across its network. Leisure travel also remained strong during the Lunar New Year period, with healthy demand expected to continue into Easter.
Cathay Cargo recorded a 5% increase in cargo volumes. Demand was driven by fresh produce such as cherries and seafood from Oceania, pharmaceuticals from Europe and Central America, and the transport of elite showjumping horses for an international event in Hong Kong. The company expects cargo demand to strengthen later in the first quarter after a softer holiday period.
HK Express carried more than 710,000 passengers in January, up 8%, with strong demand on routes to South Korea and Thailand. Bookings to Mainland China and Southeast Asia remain healthy, and the airline set a new daily record by carrying over 30,000 passengers on 20 February.
