Cathay records higher cargo volumes in April 2026

Cathay Group reported its traffic statistics for April 2026. In a brief report it mentioned, Cathay Cargo transported 8% more cargo in April 2026 compared with April 2025, while Available Freight Tonne Kilometres (AFTKs) rose by 7%. Total cargo tonnage for the first four months of 2026 also increased by 8% year-on-year.

Meanwhile, the number of freighter flights reduced by 2.2% in April 2026 in comparison to April 2025, and so is the cargo load factor, by 0.1%.

Lavinia Lau, Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, said, “Tonnage continued to record year-on-year growth in April. While volumes from our home market eased due to softer demand into South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, demand to the Americas remained solid. Overall tonnage into Hong Kong also remained healthy, supported by robust traffic from Southeast Asia, the Americas, and Europe. Our specialist solutions continued to perform well, with semiconductor shipments within Asia, and technology-related exports from the Americas into Hong Kong driving growth in our Cathay Expert and Cathay Dangerous Goods solutions. Cathay Pharma also saw solid growth, particularly from Europe to the Chinese Mainland”.

Similarly, Cathay Pacific recorded a 17% year-on-year increase in passenger traffic in April 2026, while Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs) grew by 15%. Passenger numbers during the first four months of 2026 were also up 19% compared with the same period in 2025.

HK Express carried nearly 730,000 passengers in April 2026, marking a 5% increase year-on-year and Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs) rose by 7%. Passenger traffic during the first four months of 2026 also grew by 14% compared with the same period last year.

Lavinia reflected on the company’s overall performance in April and said, “Travel demand was robust, and passenger load factors were high, driven by holiday and seasonal travel, while cargo volumes were healthy. However, jet fuel prices remained at highly elevated levels amidst the ongoing Middle East situation, increasing cost pressures. We are remaining agile in our response and continue to monitor the developments closely.”