Full Breakdown
Cathay Pacific Airways Sees Record Passenger Growth in 2025
1/22/2026, 12:33:50 AM
Strong Surge in Passenger Numbers
In 2025, Cathay Pacific Airways and its budget subsidiary, HK Express, reported a significant increase in passenger traffic, carrying over 36 million passengers, which marks a 27% rise from the previous year. Cathay Pacific alone handled approximately 28.87 million passengers, reflecting a growth of 26.5%, while HK Express saw a 29.7% increase, transporting 7.91 million passengers. This surge is attributed to a substantial expansion in passenger capacity, with the group experiencing an increase of over 25% in Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs) compared to 2024.
Record-Breaking Days
The Cathay Group achieved notable milestones during the year-end peak travel period, setting a record for the highest single-day passenger count. On December 27, 2025, the airlines carried more than 125,000 passengers, a record that was quickly surpassed with over 126,000 passengers on January 3, 2026. December alone saw Cathay Pacific and HK Express record year-on-year increases of 22% and 24% in passenger numbers, respectively.
Factors Driving Growth
The growth in passenger numbers is largely attributed to a rebound in tourism, with Hong Kong welcoming 49.89 million tourists in 2025, a 12% increase from the previous year. Lavinia Lau Hoi-zee, Cathay’s chief customer and commercial officer, noted that the strong travel demand during the festive season significantly contributed to the airline's performance in December. The demand was bolstered by inbound travel from long-haul markets and regional Asia, alongside robust outbound leisure traffic, particularly to Northeast and Southeast Asia and the Chinese Mainland.
Cargo Performance
In addition to passenger traffic, Cathay Cargo also experienced growth, transporting over 1.6 million tonnes of cargo in 2025, which represents a 9% increase compared to 2024. This growth was driven by strong demand for perishables and specialist logistics solutions, particularly across the Greater Bay Area, Oceania, and Northeast Asia.
Official Statements & Responses
Cathay Pacific has been recognized for its safety, being ranked among the world’s two safest full-service airlines for 2026 by Airline Ratings. Looking ahead, the Cathay Group plans to celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2026, with a focus on enhancing customer experience and reinforcing Hong Kong's status as a leading international aviation hub.
Criticism & Opposition
While the growth figures are impressive, some analysts caution that the sustainability of this growth may be challenged by potential economic fluctuations and geopolitical tensions that could affect travel demand.
What's Next
As Cathay Pacific and HK Express prepare for the Lunar New Year period, bookings are reportedly accelerating, indicating continued strong demand for air travel in the upcoming months.
