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Laura Westbrook

Hong Kong’s flagship carrier Cathay Pacific Airways has predicted stronger cargo business in the second half of the year as the airport battled back to 50 per cent of its pre-pandemic passenger levels.
Cathay Pacific’s director of cargo Tom Owen on Wednesday said he was optimistic about the airline’s future in the sector, where it is one of the world’s biggest players.
Owen added, despite weaker economic conditions, Cathay’s cargo industry was in “growth mode”.
“In terms of the yield outlook, we’re still hopeful that the second half of the year … will be more robust than the first half of the year,” he explained.

The airline relied on its profitable cargo division for most of its revenue during the Covid-19 pandemic after its passenger business was hammered by health restrictions.
Cathay’s passenger capacity is expected to return to 70 per cent of 2019 levels by the end of the year, but its cargo capacity is expected to hit 85 per cent.
Owen was speaking as the airline unveiled its first freight aircraft to carry the new Cathay Cargo livery.
The event was attended by airport officials, Cathay CEO Ronald Lam Siu-por and Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Lam Sai-hung.
“Capacity building will be critical for the continual development of air cargo business in Hong Kong, especially in face of land shortage,” Lam said.
He highlighted the third runway, scheduled to be completed in 2024, as well as the planned logistics park in Dongguan, in mainland China’s Guangdong province.
Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific warns of HK$7 billion in ballooning losses
Hong Kong’s airport is the world’s busiest for cargo and handled about 4.2 million tonnes (4.6 million tons) of freight and airmail in 2022.
Cathay announced in February it was to rebrand its 77-year-old cargo service, changing the name from Cathay Pacific Cargo to Cathay Cargo.
The airline said the change was in line with its overall redesign and would connect to its master Cathay brand – a premium travel lifestyle offering with a range of products and services.
The airport handled 13.2 million passengers in the first five months of the year, an increase of more than 23 times over the same period in 2022.
But cargo traffic in May dropped 4 per cent to 350,000 tonnes compared with the same month last year.
The Airport Authority said that the volume “continued to be impacted by global economic uncertainties”.
Hiring plan could help Hong Kong’s Cathay ‘compete for mainland Chinese travel market’
It added imports decreased by 30 per cent compared to the same month last year.
“Traffic to and from Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and Japan saw the most significant decreases during the month,” the authority said.
Owen told the Post that the airline was boosting its passenger capacity to the places mentioned by the authority and expected “good growth going forward.”
Hong Kong’s hometown airline also has a fleet of about 20 freight aircraft, which fly to more than 40 destinations.
Cathay’s cargo service also uses space in the group’s passenger aircraft.


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Hong Kong transport

Cathay Pacific predicts cargo business will take flight in second half of year as airport passenger levels climb back to half pre-pandemic levels

The first freight aircraft to wear the new Cathay Cargo livery is unveiled on Wednesday. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Cathay Pacific director of cargo Tom Owen says freight business will take flight in the second half of the year. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Singapore Airlines voted world’s best by travellers, Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific comes No 8

A Singapore Airlines plane comes in to land at an airport in Frankfurt, Germany, earlier this year. The city state’s flag carrier took the prestigious Skytrax title this year over the previous seven-time winner Qatar Airways. Photo: AP

An Air New Zealand Boeing Dreamliner 787 prepares for takes off from Auckland Airport. New Zealand’s flag carrier placed 30th in last year’s survey. Photo: Reuters

A Qantas Boeing 737-800 aircraft flies through clouds after taking off from Sydney Airport. The Australian airline tumbled down the Skytrax rankings 12 places this year. Photo: Reuters

A Vistara passenger aircraft lands at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport. Last year, the Indian airline placed 20th. Photo: Reuters

An artist’s impression of a Fiji Airways 737-8 Max aircraft. Image: New Zealand Herald

Hainan Airlines, one of China’s largest carriers, connects the country to Europe, North America and the rest of Asia. Photo: Boeing

Korean Air aircraft are seen on the tarmac at Incheon International Airport. The cargo branch of South Korea’s flag carrier is one of the largest in the world. Photo: Yonhap/dpa

An EVA Airways A330-300 is seen decorated with Sanrio characters, including the world famous cat character Hello Kitty. Photo: EVA Air Handout

Cathay Pacific aircraft pictured at Hong Kong International Airport. The airline also took home Skytrax’s “world’s best in-flight entertainment” title. Photo: Jonathan Wong

A Japan Airlines passenger jet takes off past another at Tokyo International Airport. The Tokyo-based carrier won Skytrax’s title for “world’s best economy class”. Photo: AFP

An All Nippon Airways (ANA) Boeing 787 takes off from Haneda airport. Japan’s largest airline has more than 130 domestic and international routes. Photo: AFP

Singapore Airlines planes sit on the tarmac at Changi Airport. The city state’s flag carrier was named No 2 in the world in last year’s Skytrax survey. Photo: Reuters

Grounded pilots: behind Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific’s new plan for junior flight crew to serve at airport

Some of Cathay Pacific Airways’ trainee pilots have said they are not enjoying their new roles on the ground and can’t wait to get back into the cockpit. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Pilots walk through the arrivals hall at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

News

Hong Kong

Transport

High-flying future for cargo business predicted as Cathay unveil new livery for its freight fleet
Cathay’s head of cargo says capacity on track to hit 85 per cent of pre-Covid levels by end of year


High-flying future for cargo business predicted as Cathay unveil new livery for its freight fleet.


Cathay Pacific predicts cargo business will take flight in second half of year as airport passenger levels climb back to half pre-pandemic levels

High-flying future for cargo business predicted as Cathay unveil new livery for its freight fleet Cathay’s head of cargo says capacity on track to hit 85 per cent of pre-Covid levels by end of year

High-flying future for cargo business predicted as Cathay unveil new livery for its freight fleet

Cathay’s head of cargo says capacity on track to hit 85 per cent of pre-Covid levels by end of year