The Cathay Group has announced impressive traffic statistics for October 2025, showcasing growth in both travel and cargo sectors. Lavinia Lau, the Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, reported that Cathay Pacific and HK Express collectively transported over 3.2 million passengers, marking a 21% increase from the previous month. In the cargo domain, Cathay Cargo recorded a significant uptick, carrying over 150,000 tonnes of cargo, which is a 12% month-on-month growth.
In terms of expanding its global presence, Cathay Pacific introduced daily direct flights to Changsha and resumed its thrice-weekly seasonal service to Adelaide in November. Additionally, HK Express is set to launch daily flights to Kota Kinabalu later this month. Overall, the group will operate approximately 330 return flights per week to the Chinese Mainland, nearly 100 to Oceania, and over 430 to Southeast Asia during the winter peak season.
Looking at passenger figures, Cathay Pacific noted a 29% rise in passenger traffic compared to October 2024 and a 26% increase in Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs). Over the first ten months of 2025, the airline carried 27% more passengers than in the same period of 2024. A surge in travel demand during October was fueled by regional holidays, particularly the National Day ‘Golden Week’ and the Mid-Autumn Festival, which drove significant leisure travel from the Chinese Mainland to Hong Kong and beyond. Additionally, demand for premium cabin seats was boosted by major exhibitions in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, leading to a load factor of 86%—the highest recorded for October in recent years.
Looking forward, bookings for the upcoming Christmas travel peak are notably strong, with expected significant inbound traffic from North America, the United Kingdom, and other European destinations.
In the cargo segment, Cathay Cargo experienced a 6% year-on-year increase in cargo volumes compared to October 2024, alongside an 8% rise in Available Freight Tonne Kilometres (AFTKs). For the first ten months of 2025, cargo tonnage increased by 10% compared to the previous year. October saw consistent momentum, particularly in the transport of fresh produce from Southeast Asia and Oceania to Hong Kong, as well as chilled salmon shipments from South America to the Chinese Mainland. The Cathay Priority solution also saw robust demand, reflecting strong needs for timely shipments as the festive season approaches.
Meanwhile, HK Express marked a significant milestone by carrying over 680,000 passengers in October 2025, a 32% year-on-year increase, with a 34% rise in ASKs. The passenger growth was notably supported by the National Day holiday, bringing capacity growth in line with passenger volumes and leading to a favorable load factor. Looking ahead, the airline is optimistic about maintaining this upward trend as advance bookings show promise, especially concerning travel to Japan.
The reported growth in both passenger and cargo sectors from Cathay Group demonstrates a positive recovery trend in the aviation industry, with continued expectations for strong demand as the year progresses into the festive season.