Cathay Group’s passenger airlines carried nearly 3 million travellers in September 2026, a 9% year-on-year increase, while Cathay Cargo handled more than 150,000 tonnes, up 14%. Cathay Pacific led passenger growth with nearly 2.45 million travellers, as capacity expanded across the group despite softer post-summer demand and continued pressure from high jet-fuel prices.
Cathay Pacific’s passenger numbers rose 12% from September 2025, while available seat-kilometres increased 9%. The airline carried about 24 million passengers during the first nine months of 2026, 14% more than in the same period last year.
HK Express carried approximately 524,800 passengers, down about 1% year on year, although its available seat-kilometres increased 10%. Passenger numbers for the first nine months rose 8%.
Cathay Cargo’s available freight tonne-kilometres grew 5% in September, and cumulative tonnage for January to September increased 9%. Demand from mainland China and Southeast Asia supported the result, with semiconductor shipments continuing to contribute to the specialist cargo operation.
Demand for long-haul travel from Hong Kong and mainland China remained resilient, including student traffic to the United Kingdom. Leisure demand from mainland China strengthened towards the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday period, while premium travel remained firm among business and high-end leisure customers. Cathay expects passenger demand to remain healthy in the fourth quarter.