Cathay Pacific and HK Express carry over 3.3 mln passengers in January

Cathay Pacific and HK Express airlines carried a combined total of more than 3.3 million passengers in January, up by 11 percent year-on-year, according to Cathay Pacific Airways (0293).

The company's shares rose 4.05 percent, or HK$0.52, to HK$13.36 on Tuesday.

Cathay Pacific's passenger number increased 11 percent year-on-year in January to 2.62 million passengers, driven by outbound student traffic, travelers returning from the year-end holiday season, a strong rebound in business travel, and increasing transit traffic.

As for HK Express, its passenger number rose 8 percent year-on-year in January to over 700,000 passengers, dominated by South Korea and Thailand trips.

Cathay made a new single-day passenger record on February 14, with Cathay Pacific carrying 100,747 passengers onboard, which surpassed the 100,000 mark for the first time in its history. Together with HK Express, it carried a combined total of around 128,000 passengers on that day.

Cathay Cargo carried 5 percent more cargo in January 2026 than in January 2025, with recorded optimal shipping performance in cherries and seafood, pharma shipments, and notably in elite showjump horses from Europe to Hong Kong for the Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show 2026.

Cathay's chief customer and commercial officer, Lavinia Lau, said the company's travel demand remains robust in the next few months as it anticipates more bookings to the mainland and Southeast Asia.

Gloria Leung