The Cathay Group right now launched its site visitors figures for February 2026, reflecting a robust begin within the first two months of the 12 months because of the momentum seen in January carrying over into the next month.
This improvement is attributed to the height journey season of the Lunar New Yr.
Likewise, the Cathay Group set a brand new single-day passenger file on 14th February which noticed a complete of 128,000 passengers.
In complete, Cathay Pacific and HK Categorical carried over 3.2 million passengers final month, surpassing the February 2025 complete by 24 p.c.
A unstable interval
Nonetheless, Cathay chief buyer and industrial officer Lavinia Lau identified that efficiency this month is in for a difficult time, owing to the unstable state of worldwide occasions.
Lau stated: “Turning to March, the worldwide geopolitical surroundings is unstable and that is inflicting surprising shifts in passenger and cargo site visitors flows in addition to a major enhance within the value of jet gasoline. In view of the present scenario within the Center East, we’ve got quickly suspended Cathay Pacific’s passenger flights in addition to Cathay Cargo’s freighter companies to Dubai and Riyadh as much as and together with thirtieth April.”
Lau added that, as prospects prioritise different journey routes resulting from airspace closures within the Center East, the Group has added additional flights to London and supplied further capability to Zurich in March to cater for a surge in demand for Europe.
The Cathay Group continues to watch the scenario as of press time.
Cathay Pacific in February 2026
Cathay Pacific carried 24 p.c extra passengers in February 2026 in contrast with February 2025, whereas Obtainable Seat Kilometres (ASKs) elevated by 16 p.c.
Within the first two months of 2026, the variety of passengers carried elevated by 17 p.c in contrast with the identical interval for 2025.
In keeping with Lau: “Through the Lunar New Yr holidays, we noticed significantly sturdy outbound journey demand from Hong Kong and the remainder of the Higher Bay Space, with short-haul locations being the preferred. In the meantime, inbound site visitors to Hong Kong additionally recorded wholesome development, supported by demand from long-haul markets and the Chinese language Mainland. Enterprise journey rebounded shortly in direction of the top of the month, leading to strong load components in our premium cabins.”
As of right now, 18th March, bookings for Cathay Pacific stay strong for the remainder of March, pushed by leisure journey throughout Asia.
Lau added: “We additionally stay up for launching our new five-times-weekly Seattle service on thirtieth March, additional strengthening the connectivity of the Hong Kong worldwide aviation hub.”
Cathay Cargo carried extra all through the month
Cathay Cargo carried seven p.c extra cargo in February 2026 than in February 2025, whereas Obtainable Freight Tonne Kilometres (AFTKs) elevated by 4 p.c.
Within the first two months of 2026, the overall tonnage elevated by six p.c in contrast with the identical interval for 2025.
Moreover, cargo tonnage in February declined in opposition to the earlier month because of the Lunar New Yr holidays.
As Lau defined it: “We noticed a pre-holiday rush throughout our house market and the broader Higher Bay Space, adopted by softer demand later within the month. In the meantime, demand for our Cathay Safe answer remained resilient, significantly from Europe and the Americas to Asia, whereas our Cathay Stay Animal answer noticed notable development, supported by elevated dwell lobster shipments from Oceania to Hong Kong. Turning to March, total air cargo demand is predicted to enhance as we ramp up our scheduled freighter frequencies in preparation for the quarter finish.”
HK Categorical’ numbers had been up 25 p.c
In the meantime, HK Categorical carried over 730,000 passengers in February 2026, a rise of 25 p.c 12 months on 12 months, whereas Obtainable Seat Kilometers’ (ASKs) grew by 14 p.c.
Within the first two months of 2026, the variety of passengers carried elevated by 16% in contrast with the identical interval for 2025.
Passenger numbers had been buoyed by the Lunar New Yr site visitors, as HK Categorical achieved a load issue of 86 p.c in February, with South Korea routes being the preferred.
Lau stated: “We additionally noticed a major enhance in demand to Malaysia and the Chinese language Mainland, which outpaced capability development. Trying forward, bookings stay wholesome in March, with demand outpacing capability enhance in contrast with final 12 months.”
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