Cathay Group – parent of Cathay Pacific, HK Express and cargo subsidiary Cathay Cargo – published its November 2025 traffic bulletin on 22 December. The data show the carrier carried 2.53 million passengers in November, 26 % more than a year earlier, while capacity (ASKs) rose 22 %. Passenger load factor reached 87 %, the highest in two years, reflecting robust year-end demand on North-East Asian and South-west Pacific routes.
Strategically, the Group continued rebuilding Hong Kong’s aviation hub. Cathay Pacific inaugurated daily Hong Kong–Changsha flights and a seasonal Hong Kong–Adelaide service, while low-cost arm HK Express launched daily Hong Kong–Kota Kinabalu flights. In 2025 the Group has opened 20 new destinations, bringing the total network to 103 cities – an important milestone for corporate mobility managers that rely on one-stop connectivity through Hong Kong.
Cargo also performed strongly: tonnage grew 10 % year-on-year with AFTKs up 7 %. Exports from Hong Kong and the mainland, plus solid flows on Southeast Asia, South Asia and trans-Pacific lanes, underpinned the increase. Cathay expects the freight peak to hold well into January despite a planned step-down in dedicated freighter flying after mid-December.
![Cathay Group’s November traffic jumps 26 % as network hits 103 cities]()
For travel coordinators sending staff through Hong Kong’s revitalised hub, VisaHQ can simplify visa arrangements. Its online platform—see https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/—offers quick application processing and expert guidance for Hong Kong entry permits and onward visas, ensuring teams catch Cathay’s growing list of flights without administrative delays.
Looking ahead, management projects the Group’s full-year 2025 result will beat 2024 thanks to higher capacity, record load factors and a HK$0.9 billion one-off supplier settlement gain. Mobility planners should anticipate tighter seat availability over the Lunar New Year and continue booking early, especially for North-East Asia and Australia where demand is running ahead of supply.
HK Express separately reported that it carried almost 640,000 passengers in November (+27 % YoY) with load factor topping 83 %. The budget carrier’s rapid rebound offers price-sensitive options for corporate traffic as Cathay restores premium-heavy long-haul capacity.
Strategically, the Group continued rebuilding Hong Kong’s aviation hub. Cathay Pacific inaugurated daily Hong Kong–Changsha flights and a seasonal Hong Kong–Adelaide service, while low-cost arm HK Express launched daily Hong Kong–Kota Kinabalu flights. In 2025 the Group has opened 20 new destinations, bringing the total network to 103 cities – an important milestone for corporate mobility managers that rely on one-stop connectivity through Hong Kong.
Cargo also performed strongly: tonnage grew 10 % year-on-year with AFTKs up 7 %. Exports from Hong Kong and the mainland, plus solid flows on Southeast Asia, South Asia and trans-Pacific lanes, underpinned the increase. Cathay expects the freight peak to hold well into January despite a planned step-down in dedicated freighter flying after mid-December.
For travel coordinators sending staff through Hong Kong’s revitalised hub, VisaHQ can simplify visa arrangements. Its online platform—see https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/—offers quick application processing and expert guidance for Hong Kong entry permits and onward visas, ensuring teams catch Cathay’s growing list of flights without administrative delays.
Looking ahead, management projects the Group’s full-year 2025 result will beat 2024 thanks to higher capacity, record load factors and a HK$0.9 billion one-off supplier settlement gain. Mobility planners should anticipate tighter seat availability over the Lunar New Year and continue booking early, especially for North-East Asia and Australia where demand is running ahead of supply.
HK Express separately reported that it carried almost 640,000 passengers in November (+27 % YoY) with load factor topping 83 %. The budget carrier’s rapid rebound offers price-sensitive options for corporate traffic as Cathay restores premium-heavy long-haul capacity.
