Cathay Pacific Airways has told its 20,000-strong workforce that the carrier’s 2025 profit-sharing pool will exceed the 6.2 weeks of base pay distributed for the previous year, reflecting a sharp rebound in passenger demand and record customer-service scores. In an internal memo seen by Aviation A2Z, Chief Executive Ronald Lam linked the bigger bonus to a “scheme multiplier” of 7 percent—applied when Net Promoter Scores and operating profit both beat targets.
The Hong Kong-based airline carried 36 million passengers in 2025—up 27 percent year on year—and reactivated most of its long-haul network, including new services to Dallas, Rome and Hyderabad. Capacity growth was matched by on-time performance and cabin-crew staffing levels that have finally returned to pre-pandemic norms. Lam said the payout, on top of a four-week discretionary bonus already paid, pushes total 2025 staff rewards above 10.2 weeks’ salary—“among the most generous in Asia-Pacific aviation.”
For business-travel planners, the announcement signals that Cathay’s recovery trajectory remains intact ahead of the airline’s 80th-anniversary celebrations this summer. Management has earmarked more than HK $100 billion for fleet renewal, digital upgrades and lounge refurbishments over the next five years, in line with Hong Kong’s ambition to regain its position as a leading international aviation hub. Analysts expect Cathay to post its strongest annual net profit since 2018 when results are released in March.
![Cathay Pacific Lifts Profit-Sharing Payout to Over 6 Weeks’ Salary as Traffic Surges]()
For organisations coordinating complex, multi-country itineraries out of Hong Kong, VisaHQ can take the hassle out of visa procurement—handling eVisas, passport renewals and embassy submissions through a single online portal. Travellers and travel managers alike can review requirements and place orders in minutes at https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/
The bonus scheme is also designed to curb staff attrition. Post-pandemic poaching by mainland and Middle-Eastern carriers had pushed Cathay pilot turnover to a record 17 percent in 2023. Union leaders welcomed the payout but said they would press for a long-term profit-share formula to give employees “a clearer stake in future growth.”
Multinational employers sending assignees through Hong Kong can look forward to more route options and—if market conditions hold—stable premium-cabin pricing. However, travel managers should monitor potential capacity constraints during the peak summer months, when Cathay plans to take several Airbus A330s out of service for cabin retrofits.
The Hong Kong-based airline carried 36 million passengers in 2025—up 27 percent year on year—and reactivated most of its long-haul network, including new services to Dallas, Rome and Hyderabad. Capacity growth was matched by on-time performance and cabin-crew staffing levels that have finally returned to pre-pandemic norms. Lam said the payout, on top of a four-week discretionary bonus already paid, pushes total 2025 staff rewards above 10.2 weeks’ salary—“among the most generous in Asia-Pacific aviation.”
For business-travel planners, the announcement signals that Cathay’s recovery trajectory remains intact ahead of the airline’s 80th-anniversary celebrations this summer. Management has earmarked more than HK $100 billion for fleet renewal, digital upgrades and lounge refurbishments over the next five years, in line with Hong Kong’s ambition to regain its position as a leading international aviation hub. Analysts expect Cathay to post its strongest annual net profit since 2018 when results are released in March.
For organisations coordinating complex, multi-country itineraries out of Hong Kong, VisaHQ can take the hassle out of visa procurement—handling eVisas, passport renewals and embassy submissions through a single online portal. Travellers and travel managers alike can review requirements and place orders in minutes at https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/
The bonus scheme is also designed to curb staff attrition. Post-pandemic poaching by mainland and Middle-Eastern carriers had pushed Cathay pilot turnover to a record 17 percent in 2023. Union leaders welcomed the payout but said they would press for a long-term profit-share formula to give employees “a clearer stake in future growth.”
Multinational employers sending assignees through Hong Kong can look forward to more route options and—if market conditions hold—stable premium-cabin pricing. However, travel managers should monitor potential capacity constraints during the peak summer months, when Cathay plans to take several Airbus A330s out of service for cabin retrofits.
