Cathay Pacific Group, based in Hong Kong, has released its December 2024 traffic data, showcasing remarkable improvements in passenger numbers and cargo volumes as the carrier completes its two-year recovery journey from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The final month of 2024 witnessed a 26.4% increase in the total number of passengers carried compared to December 2023, with revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs) soaring by 27.9% year on year. The passenger load factor escalated by 3.6 percentage points to 84.8%, accompanied by a 22.5% increase in available seat kilometers (ASKs) year on year.

Throughout 2024, Cathay Group reached new post-pandemic heights with record-breaking passenger and cargo figures. In 2024 alone, Cathay Pacific and HK Express collectively accommodated over 28 million passengers, marking a significant 30.7% year-on-year surge. Lavinia Lau, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, highlighted the festive month of December as a peak travel season for reuniting with loved ones and holiday getaways, sharing the milestone achievement of carrying over 100,000 passengers on eight days, a feat not seen since the commencement of their rebuilding phase.

Reflecting the rising demand for premium cabins leading up to the holiday period and the revival of their Cairns seasonal service with positive customer feedback, Lau emphasized the strategic leveraging of their global network and Hong Kong hub's advantages to attract transit passengers worldwide. Additionally, the airline witnessed an 11.7% increase in cargo volumes in December 2024 compared to the previous year, with a cargo load factor increase to 61.4%.

The profound progress made by the Group in 2024 culminated in the completion of their two-year reconstruction journey, signaling a return to pre-pandemic flight levels starting from January 2025. Looking towards the future, Lau emphasized the focus on bolstering Hong Kong's status as a premier aviation hub by introducing new flights and destinations. The forthcoming launch of direct flights between Hong Kong and Rome in June 2025 and the announcement aimed at achieving 100 destinations worldwide in 2025 epitomize the Group's commitment to expansion.

With the Lunar New Year on the horizon and increasing travel bookings post-Christmas, Cathay Pacific anticipates heightened travel demand leading up to the holiday season. Subsequently, leisure travel demand is expected to slow down post-Lunar New Year, with a shift towards more transit passengers leveraging their expansive network. Lau anticipates a temporary dip in cargo demand in early January before a resurgence closer to the Lunar New Year festivities, highlighting the airline's ongoing adaptability in response to market dynamics.