The Cathay Staff nowadays launched its site visitors figures for February 2026, reflecting a powerful get started within the first two months of the yr because of the momentum noticed in January wearing over into the next month.
This construction is attributed to the height go back and forth season of the Lunar New Yr.
Likewise, the Cathay Staff set a brand new single-day passenger document on 14th February which noticed a complete of 128,000 passengers.
In overall, Cathay Pacific and HK Categorical carried over 3.2 million passengers ultimate month, surpassing the February 2025 overall by way of 24 %.
A unstable duration
On the other hand, Cathay leader buyer and business officer Lavinia Lau identified that efficiency this month is in for a difficult time, owing to the unstable state of world occasions.
Lau mentioned: “Turning to March, the worldwide geopolitical surroundings is unstable and that is inflicting surprising shifts in passenger and load site visitors flows in addition to a vital building up in the cost of jet gasoline. In view of the present state of affairs within the Center East, we’ve quickly suspended Cathay Pacific’s passenger flights in addition to Cathay Shipment’s freighter products and services to Dubai and Riyadh as much as and together with thirtieth April.”
Lau added that, as shoppers prioritise selection go back and forth routes because of airspace closures within the Center East, the Staff has added further flights to London and supplied further capability to Zurich in March to cater for a surge in call for for Europe.
The Cathay Staff continues to watch the placement as of press time.
Cathay Pacific in February 2026
Cathay Pacific carried 24 % extra passengers in February 2026 when put next with February 2025, whilst To be had Seat Kilometres (ASKs) higher by way of 16 %.
Within the first two months of 2026, the collection of passengers carried higher by way of 17 % when put next with the similar duration for 2025.
In step with Lau: “All the way through the Lunar New Yr vacations, we noticed in particular robust outbound go back and forth call for from Hong Kong and the remainder of the Better Bay Space, with short-haul locations being the preferred. In the meantime, inbound site visitors to Hong Kong additionally recorded wholesome enlargement, supported by way of call for from long-haul markets and the Chinese language Mainland. Trade go back and forth rebounded briefly against the tip of the month, leading to powerful load components in our top rate cabins.”
As of nowadays, 18th March, bookings for Cathay Pacific stay powerful for the remainder of March, pushed by way of recreational go back and forth throughout Asia.
Lau added: “We additionally look ahead to launching our new five-times-weekly Seattle provider on thirtieth March, additional strengthening the connectivity of the Hong Kong world aviation hub.”
Cathay Shipment carried extra all over the month
Cathay Shipment carried seven % extra shipment in February 2026 than in February 2025, whilst To be had Freight Tonne Kilometres (AFTKs) higher by way of 4 %.
Within the first two months of 2026, the whole tonnage higher by way of six % when put next with the similar duration for 2025.
Moreover, shipment tonnage in February declined towards the former month because of the Lunar New Yr vacations.
As Lau defined it: “We noticed a pre-holiday rush throughout our house marketplace and the broader Better Bay Space, adopted by way of softer call for later within the month. In the meantime, call for for our Cathay Safe answer remained resilient, in particular from Europe and the Americas to Asia, whilst our Cathay Reside Animal answer noticed notable enlargement, supported by way of higher reside lobster shipments from Oceania to Hong Kong. Turning to March, total air shipment call for is predicted to reinforce as we ramp up our scheduled freighter frequencies in preparation for the quarter finish.”
HK Categorical’ numbers have been up 25 %
In the meantime, HK Categorical carried over 730,000 passengers in February 2026, an building up of 25 % yr on yr, whilst To be had Seat Kilometers’ (ASKs) grew by way of 14 %.
Within the first two months of 2026, the collection of passengers carried higher by way of 16% when put next with the similar duration for 2025.
Passenger numbers have been buoyed by way of the Lunar New Yr site visitors, as HK Categorical accomplished a load issue of 86 % in February, with South Korea routes being the preferred.
Lau mentioned: “We additionally noticed a vital building up in call for to Malaysia and the Chinese language Mainland, which outpaced capability enlargement. Taking a look forward, bookings stay wholesome in March, with call for outpacing capability building up when put next with ultimate yr.”
