Cathay Cargo flies 250 ancient Egyptian artefacts to Hong Kong
The airline used its Cathay Secure solution to safely transport over 30 tonnes of cultural treasures from Shanghai.
Cathay Cargo has successfully transported 250 ancient Egyptian artefacts weighing more than 30 tonnes from Shanghai to Hong Kong for the “Ancient Egypt Unveiled: Treasures from Egyptian Museums” exhibition at the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM). Jointly organised with Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), the exhibition will open on 20 November 2025 and run for nine months, enhancing cultural exchange between Egypt, the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong.
The exhibition represents the largest, most comprehensive and longest-running showcase of ancient Egyptian treasures in Hong Kong. For the first time, the city will display artefacts and recent archaeological discoveries directly loaned from Egypt. The SCA, as the sole owner and lender of all artefacts, aims to promote Egypt’s rich cultural heritage through global partnerships and international collaboration.
Cathay Cargo Director Dominic Perret said the transport reflects the airline’s commitment to connecting cultures as well as commerce. “We are honoured to support the transport of these remarkable treasures to Hong Kong,” he said. “It underscores both our expertise in handling sensitive shipments through our Cathay Secure solution and our commitment to facilitating Hong Kong’s position as a centre for international cultural exchange.”
The shipment travelled on a Cathay Cargo flight from Shanghai to Hong Kong using specialist equipment including two 20-foot pallets, one oversized pallet, 12 lower-deck pallets and shock-absorbing dollies. The artefacts, handled under the airline’s highest standards of care, were escorted by an Egyptian courier and monitored by experts in Shanghai to ensure safe delivery.
Perret added that the operation highlighted seamless teamwork between Cathay Cargo’s Mainland China teams, airports, customs and partners. A green channel for customs clearance was established, supported by three days of pre-document checks, fast-track screening and enhanced procedures to ensure smooth and efficient handling.
The project builds on Cathay’s ongoing commitment to arts and culture. The airline has partnered with the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) to promote Hong Kong as an East-meets-West centre for cultural exchange. Earlier this year, Cathay Cargo transported terracotta figures and more than 200 artefacts from Xi’an to Perth for the “Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor” exhibition, once again utilising its Cathay Expert and Cathay Secure solutions to deliver cultural treasures safely to the world.
