HONG KONG— Cathay Pacific Airways (CX) and its low-cost subsidiary HK Express (UO) recorded a sharp rise in passenger traffic in 2025, reflecting the continued recovery of air travel and strong inbound tourism to the city. The Cathay Group carried more than 36 million passengers during the year, representing a 27 percent increase compared with 2024.
The growth was driven by higher travel demand and a major expansion in capacity at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). Cathay said the increase in traffic aligned closely with the group’s network rebuild strategy, which focused on restoring frequencies, adding destinations, and improving connectivity across key regional and long-haul markets.
Passenger Traffic Growth
Cathay Pacific handled 28.87 million passengers in 2025, marking a year-on-year increase of 26.5 percent.
The airline benefited from a steady rebound in premium and economy travel, supported by improved corporate demand and strong leisure flows.
HK Express recorded faster growth, carrying 7.91 million passengers, up 29.7 percent from the previous year. The budget carrier continued to expand its footprint across Asia, attracting price-sensitive travelers and stimulating short-haul demand.
In December alone, Cathay Pacific carried around 2.74 million passengers, an increase of 21.8 percent compared with the same month last year.
HK Express carried more than 781,000 passengers during the month, representing a 24.1 percent year-on-year rise.
Capacity And Demand
Cathay Group attributed the surge in passenger numbers to a significant expansion in capacity during 2025.
Available seat kilometres increased by more than 25 percent compared with 2024, reflecting the return of grounded aircraft and higher aircraft utilization.
Hong Kong welcomed 49.89 million visitors in 2025, up 12 percent year on year, providing a strong foundation for airline demand, reported SCMP.
Cathay said inbound traffic was particularly robust during the festive season, supported by returning residents, students, and visiting friends and relatives.
The airline also saw higher outbound leisure demand during peak holiday periods. Travelers from Hong Kong showed increased interest in destinations across Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Chinese mainland, with more passengers exploring secondary cities within the group’s expanding network.
Cargo Performance Trends
Cathay Cargo recorded solid growth alongside the passenger recovery, carrying more than 1.67 million tonnes of cargo in 2025.
This represented a 9.4 percent increase compared with the previous year, supported by steady e-commerce and regional trade flows.
In December, cargo volumes reached approximately 152,000 tonnes, up 6 percent year on year. Cathay noted that tonnage declined slightly from November levels, reflecting seasonal factors as the festive period approached.
The airline expects cargo demand to remain stable, although it anticipates softer passenger demand in early January. Traffic is expected to gradually improve as the Lunar New Year travel period approaches.
Bottom Line
Cathay Group’s 27 percent rise in passenger numbers highlights the strength of Hong Kong’s aviation recovery in 2025.
With capacity expansion, strong tourism inflows, and steady cargo demand, Cathay Pacific and HK Express enter 2026 with clear momentum across both passenger and freight operations.
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