Data released by aviation intelligence firm CAPA on 20 April show that Cathay Pacific transported 2.8 million passengers in March 2026, a 24.5 % increase versus the same month last year. Revenue-passenger-kilometres grew 21.9 %, while available-seat-kilometres rose only 9.3 %, pushing load factor to an impressive 92.2 %. The figures confirm that Hong Kong’s flag carrier is firmly in recovery mode following pandemic-era restrictions and last summer’s crew-shortage disruptions. Year-to-date, Cathay has added back routes to Riyadh and Washington and up-gauged capacity on London and Sydney sectors popular with corporate travellers.
![Cathay Pacific Carries 2.8 Million Passengers in March—Up 24 % Year-on-Year]()
If these revived routes mean your travellers suddenly need fast-track visa support, VisaHQ can help. The platform’s Hong Kong portal (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) lets mobility managers arrange visas for Saudi Arabia, the United States, the U.K., Australia and dozens of other markets in one dashboard, with real-time status updates and dedicated customer service to keep trips on schedule.
For mobility managers, the high load factor means premium-cabin inventory is tightening again. Corporates that rely on short-notice bookings should consider reviving block-space agreements or shifting some traffic to feeder carriers such as HK Express to maintain flexibility. Stronger traffic is also feeding through to the wider ecosystem. Airport Authority figures show retail sales at Hong Kong International Airport up 31 % in Q1, and recruitment portals list more than 500 open ground-handling positions. Travel-management companies say average corporate fares in the Hong Kong-Singapore corridor are already 12 % above 2019 levels. Cathay’s management reiterated its target of reaching 100 % of pre-COVID passenger capacity by early 2027, but analysts caution that aircraft delivery delays and escalating fuel costs—jet-fuel spot prices are up 18 % since February—could temper the pace of growth.
If these revived routes mean your travellers suddenly need fast-track visa support, VisaHQ can help. The platform’s Hong Kong portal (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) lets mobility managers arrange visas for Saudi Arabia, the United States, the U.K., Australia and dozens of other markets in one dashboard, with real-time status updates and dedicated customer service to keep trips on schedule.
For mobility managers, the high load factor means premium-cabin inventory is tightening again. Corporates that rely on short-notice bookings should consider reviving block-space agreements or shifting some traffic to feeder carriers such as HK Express to maintain flexibility. Stronger traffic is also feeding through to the wider ecosystem. Airport Authority figures show retail sales at Hong Kong International Airport up 31 % in Q1, and recruitment portals list more than 500 open ground-handling positions. Travel-management companies say average corporate fares in the Hong Kong-Singapore corridor are already 12 % above 2019 levels. Cathay’s management reiterated its target of reaching 100 % of pre-COVID passenger capacity by early 2027, but analysts caution that aircraft delivery delays and escalating fuel costs—jet-fuel spot prices are up 18 % since February—could temper the pace of growth.
