Hong Kong, Mar 18: Cathay Group today announced its traffic figures for February 2026, highlighting a strong start to the year driven by robust Lunar New Year travel demand and sustained operational momentum across its passenger and cargo businesses.
Lavinia Lau, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer of the Cathay Group, said, “The first two months of 2026 have got off to an encouraging start, with the solid momentum seen in January continuing into February. We recorded a new single-day passenger milestone, carrying approximately 128,000 passengers on 14 February. Together, our airlines carried more than 3.2 million passengers during the month, marking a 24% year-on-year increase.”
Passenger Business Sees Strong Growth
Cathay Pacific reported a 24% year-on-year increase in passengers carried in February, reaching over 2.55 million passengers. Capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs), grew by nearly 16%, while passenger load factor rose to 85.6%.
Demand during the Lunar New Year period remained strong, particularly for short-haul outbound travel from Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. Inbound traffic also showed healthy growth, supported by long-haul markets and the Chinese Mainland. Business travel rebounded toward the end of the month, contributing to strong premium cabin performance.
Looking ahead, the airline is set to launch a new five-times-weekly Seattle service on 30 March, further enhancing connectivity for the Hong Kong aviation hub.
Cargo Operations Remain Resilient
Cathay Cargo recorded a 7% year-on-year increase in cargo carried, totaling over 127,000 tonnes in February. Capacity grew by 4%, while cargo demand remained steady despite seasonal fluctuations due to the Lunar New Year holidays.
Demand for specialized solutions such as Cathay Secure remained strong, particularly on routes from Europe and the Americas to Asia. Meanwhile, Cathay Live Animal services saw notable growth, driven by increased shipments from Oceania to Hong Kong.
HK Express Continues Growth Momentum
Low-cost carrier HK Express carried more than 730,000 passengers in February, representing a 25% year-on-year increase. The airline achieved a strong load factor of 86%, supported by high demand across regional routes.
South Korea emerged as the most popular destination, while routes to Malaysia and the Chinese Mainland also saw significant growth, with demand outpacing capacity increases.
Navigating Global Challenges
Despite the strong performance, the Group acknowledged ongoing global uncertainties. Geopolitical tensions and airspace disruptions in the Middle East have led to temporary suspension of passenger and cargo services to Dubai and Riyadh until 30 April 2026.
To adapt to shifting travel patterns, the Group has increased capacity on European routes, including additional flights to London and Zurich, to meet rising demand as passengers seek alternative travel options.
“We are closely monitoring the evolving global environment and remain agile in responding to changes in passenger and cargo flows,” added Lau.
Positive Outlook
With bookings remaining robust for March, particularly for leisure travel across Asia, the Cathay Group is optimistic about maintaining growth momentum in the coming months, supported by strategic network adjustments and continued demand across both passenger and cargo segments.
