Cathay cargo volumes rise 10% year on year in November 2025

The Cathay Group reported a 10% year-on-year increase in cargo tonnage for November 2025, driven by strong demand on key trade routes and solid export volumes from its home market and the Chinese mainland. Available Freight Tonne Kilometres (AFTKs) rose 7% compared with November 2024, while total cargo for the first eleven months of 2025 was up 10% year-on-year.

Cathay’s cargo business continued to grow both month-on-month and year-on-year in November. The airline said exports from Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland remained robust, and demand expanded across Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Specialist solutions such as Cathay Priority showed strong demand into Northeast Asia, while Cathay Expert and Cathay Fresh saw increased cargo movements within Northeast Asia and from South America.

The Group also noted a robust air cargo peak season that was expected to continue into December, although it planned to begin scaling back the peak-season freighter schedule from mid-month as overall demand starts to ease. Core demand on Cathay’s main trade lanes was expected to remain strong.

In the broader context of 2025, November’s results contributed to a year-to-date performance that Cathay projects will exceed last year’s overall traffic figures.