Cathay Cargo, the dedicated freight arm of the Cathay Group, announced a substantial increase in its cargo volumes for September. The airline reported carrying more than 150,000 tonnes of freight during the month, representing a 14.2% rise compared to the same period last year. This positive performance was primarily driven by what the Cathay chief customer and commercial officer described as "resilient cargo demand" across its network.
This growth in cargo uplift was supported by an increase in available freight capacity, which allowed Cathay Cargo to accommodate the heightened demand. The airline's operational adjustments and market positioning have contributed to its ability to capture a larger share of the air cargo market.
For freight forwarders and shippers, this development signals strong air cargo demand, particularly on routes served by Cathay Cargo, which is based in Hong Kong. Increased volumes typically mean that capacity utilization is high, which could lead to stable or potentially rising air freight rates, especially for urgent shipments or during peak seasons. Forwarders should monitor Cathay's capacity deployment and pricing strategies, particularly for shipments originating from or transiting through Hong Kong, a major global air cargo hub. The sustained demand suggests a healthy market, but also highlights the importance of booking space in advance to secure optimal routing and rates.
