Cathay and HK Express carry nearly 3 million
On.cc · 2 SOURCES1 day ago4 MIN
Summary
Cathay Pacific and HK Express together carried about 3 million passengers in September 2026, representing a 9% year-on-year increase. Cathay Pacific said its September passenger traffic rose 12% from a year earlier, while available seat kilometres increased 9%. HK Express carried more than 520,000 passengers in the month, down 1% year on year, even as available seat kilometres rose 10%. Cathay’s customer and commercial chief Lavinia Lau (劉凱詩) said she expects passenger demand to remain solid in the fourth quarter
Key Points
- Cathay Pacific’s passenger volume in September 2026 increased 12% from September 2025, with available seat kilometres rising 9% year on year.
- In the first nine months of 2026, Cathay Pacific’s passenger traffic was 14% higher than in the same period of 2025.
- Cathay Cargo carried more than 150,000 tonnes in September, up 14% year on year, while available cargo tonne kilometres rose 5%.
- Demand from mainland China and Southeast Asia remained resilient, and strong semiconductor shipments supported growth in Cathay’s special cargo business
- HK Express carried more than 520,000 passengers in September, down 1% year on year, but its first-nine-month passenger volume still rose 8%.
Why It Matters
The figures point to continued recovery in Hong Kong aviation demand, with Cathay seeing growth in both passenger and cargo operations while HK Express continues expanding capacity. For Hong Kong readers, the mix of stronger full-service traffic, resilient regional cargo demand and a steadier fourth-quarter outlook suggests the city’s aviation and travel sectors remain on a firmer footing heading into year-end