Cathay Pacific has unveiled its traffic figures for September 2024, showcasing significant growth in both passenger and cargo operations. Over the first nine months of 2024, Cathay Pacific and its subsidiary HK Express collectively surpassed the 20 million mark for passengers carried, reaching a remarkable total of over 21 million during this period.
In September alone, Cathay Pacific transported 1,816,908 passengers, marking an impressive increase of 17.8% compared to September 2023. The airline’s revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) rose by 18.4% year on year, underscoring robust travel demand. However, the passenger load factor experienced a slight decline, decreasing by 2.3 percentage points to 81.4%. Available seat kilometres (ASKs) rose significantly, increasing by 21.7% compared to the previous year, reflecting the airline’s expansion in capacity to meet the growing travel demand.
In terms of cargo operations, Cathay Pacific carried 133,079 tonnes in September 2024, a notable increase of 10.9% compared to the same month last year. The cargo revenue tonne kilometres (RFTKs) also saw a rise of 4.9% year on year. Despite these gains, the cargo load factor fell by 2.4 percentage points to 58.7%, with available cargo tonne kilometres (AFTKs) increasing by 9.3%. For the first nine months of 2024, cargo tonnage rose by 9.9%, totalling 1,103,576 tonnes, with AFTKs increasing by 8.9% and RFTKs by 3.4%.
Cathay Pacific noted a strengthened demand for cargo as it entered the traditional peak season, with September tonnage reflecting a 7% increase from August and an 11% rise compared to September 2023. Notably, there was an uptick in shipments of Cathay Fresh products from regions such as the South West Pacific and Southeast Asia into Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, particularly driven by the Mid-Autumn Festival. The demand for time-sensitive shipments to the Americas and Europe also boosted the use of Cathay Priority solutions.
Looking forward, Cathay Pacific is set to expand its operations with the addition of more flights and destinations to meet increasing travel demand, particularly during the Christmas season, which is projected to see higher bookings than in previous years. The airline recently announced a new non-stop service between Hong Kong and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, scheduled to launch in April 2025, further enhancing its North American connectivity.
In an effort to elevate the customer experience, Cathay Pacific has introduced its new Business Class, the Aria Suite, along with upgraded Premium Economy and refreshed Economy cabins on its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Moreover, improvements at Hong Kong International Airport, including the upcoming reopening of Cathay Pacific’s The Bridge lounge, are anticipated to enhance the travel experience for passengers.
As Cathay Pacific continues to adapt to the changing landscape of air travel, these strategic expansions and enhancements are likely to reinforce its position as a leading airline in the Asia-Pacific region.
