Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific (CX) has unveiled its traffic statistics for April 2023, revealing robust travel demand observed during the holiday season. The positive travel sentiment observed since the start of the year has continued, leading to significant passenger numbers for the Cathay Pacific Group.
Comprising Cathay Pacific and HK Express, the group successfully transported nearly six million passengers within the initial four months of the year.
Cathay Pacific April 2023 Report
Last month, Cathay Pacific witnessed a remarkable surge in passenger numbers. A total of 1,381,073 passengers were carried—an extraordinary increase of 3,283% compared to April 2022.
The month also saw a substantial rise in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), marking a remarkable 3,139% year-on-year growth. The passenger load factor experienced a significant boost, soaring by 31.3 percentage points to reach an impressive 86.9%.
Additionally, capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASKs), witnessed a substantial year-on-year increase of 1,973%.
Looking at the performance for the first four months of 2023. The number of passengers carried skyrocketed by an astonishing 3,707%, outpacing the 2,116% growth in capacity. Further, the exceptional 3,989% surge in RPKs, all when compared to the same period in 2022.
Last month, the airline witnessed a notable growth in cargo transportation. It carried 109,372 tonnes of cargo. This marks an 18.4% increase compared to April 2022, a period when cargo capacity was significantly reduced due to stricter aircrew quarantine measures. The cargo revenue tonne kilometers (RFTKs) also experienced a substantial year-on-year surge of 93.3%.
Despite the impressive growth in cargo volume, the cargo load factor observed a decrease of 16.6 percentage points, settling at 63.6%. However, capacity, measured in available cargo tonne kilometers (AFTKs), showcased a remarkable year-on-year increase of 143.7%.
Analyzing the performance for the first four months of 2023, the cargo tonnage exhibited a notable rise of 30.8%. This outpaced the 168.4% growth in capacity and the commendable 118.1% increase in RFTKs compared to the same period in 2022.
Executive Insights
Lavinia Lau, the Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, expressed that April proved to be a bustling month for their travel business. Numerous customers seeking a well-deserved getaway during the holiday season.
Passenger demand exhibited notable strength, particularly during the Easter holiday in the early part of the month. In fact, on April 9th, they achieved a significant milestone by recording the highest number of passengers on a single day since the onset of the pandemic, carrying a total of 53,233 passengers.
The airline focused on expanding passenger flight capacity to meet the growing demand. Subsequently, introduced additional frequencies to various destinations across Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia, and Japan. The demand for premium class seats also displayed a positive trend, driven by both corporate and leisure travel.
Furthermore, there was a surge in demand from Indonesia in mid-April, coinciding with the conclusion of Ramadan.
In response, the airline added more flights from Jakarta and Surabaya to accommodate their customers’ needs. Towards the end of April, an increased influx of traffic was observed ahead of Labour Day. Subsequently, due to the Golden Week holiday in the Chinese Mainland.
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