Cathay Group achieves new passenger traffic highs

The Cathay Group reported record passenger numbers during the December 2025 peak and closed the year with robust full-year growth across passenger and cargo operations.

December peak and full-year highlights

In late December 2025 the Cathay Group experienced an exceptional surge in travel demand, with Cathay Pacific and HK Express combining to carry more than 125,000 passengers on 27 December, marking the highest single‑day total in the Group’s history. That single‑day record was eclipsed in the first week of January 2026, when over 126,000 passengers flew on 3 January.

For the full year 2025, the Group’s passenger airlines transported a combined total of more than 36 million passengers, up 27% year‑on‑year. Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs) rose roughly 25%, reflecting expanded capacity and a recovering international network. On the cargo side, Cathay Cargo handled over 1.6 million tonnes—an increase of about 9% compared with 2024.

Key operational metrics

What drove the surge?

• Network expansion: Restored and new routes across North America, Europe, Northeast Asia, Thailand and India increased connectivity and appeal.
• Capacity recovery: Significant increases in ASKs allowed airlines to meet strong seasonal demand.
• Festive travel: Year‑end holidays and pent‑up demand propelled single‑day records.
• Cargo solutions: Products like Cathay Fresh supported e‑commerce and perishables flows into the Greater Bay Area.
• Operational quality: Industry recognition for safety helped shore consumer confidence.

Airline and cargo business breakdown

Cathay Pacific registered a 22% increase in passengers for December year‑on‑year, with ASKs up 23%—a reflection of restored long‑haul connectivity to major markets. Full‑year passenger traffic grew 27%, supported by international inbound and outbound travel.

Cathay Cargo saw cargo tonnage rise 6% in December and an 8% increase in Available Freight Tonne Kilometres (AFTKs). Demand for temperature‑controlled perishables and time‑sensitive freight underpinned cargo performance, notably into the Greater Bay Area.

HK Express, the Group’s low‑cost carrier, carried over 780,000 passengers in December (a 24% increase year‑on‑year) and posted 30% full‑year passenger growth as route expansion and value fares attracted leisure travellers.

Awards and recognition

• Both Cathay Pacific and HK Express were acknowledged by Airline Ratings among the world’s safest airlines in their categories, reinforcing reputational strength.
• Customer experience initiatives and fleet utilization improvements were emphasized as priorities heading into Cathay’s 80th anniversary year.

Brief historical context

The Cathay Group has long been central to Hong Kong’s role as an aviation gateway. Since its early years, Cathay Pacific developed routes linking Asia with Europe, North America and Australasia, helping to establish Hong Kong as a global transfer hub. Over decades the Group diversified—adding cargo expertise and a low‑cost subsidiary—to address segmented demand cycles. The 2025 recovery and record volumes can be seen as a continuation of this evolution: fleet modernization, product differentiation and strategic network management combined to restore pre‑pandemic throughput and then surpass it.

Milestones that shaped the present

• Growth of long‑haul connections that positioned Hong Kong as a transpacific and Eurasian crossroads.
• Investment in cargo capabilities, creating resilience during demand shocks.
• Creation of the low‑cost HK Express to capture regional leisure traffic.

Implications for tourism and regional mobility

Robust airline performance has direct implications for international tourism, business travel and associated industries. Increased seat capacity and more frequent services translate to more visitors, higher hotel occupancy and expanded opportunities for regional tourism products. In the context of the Pearl River Delta and the Greater Bay Area, strong air links facilitate both inbound leisure travel and cross‑border business flows.

For marine and coastal tourism specifically, easier access can boost demand for boating activities, yacht charters, marina services and waterfront recreation. As airports and seaports regain momentum, shore‑based businesses—from marinas to charter operators—stand to gain from improved passenger volumes and revived interest in short cruises, day sails and fishing excursions.

Practical effects for boating and charter industries

• More inbound visitors increases demand for short‑term charter and yacht rentals in nearby marinas.
• Expanded cargo and supply chain capacity supports marine equipment sales and maintenance logistics.
• Greater connectivity encourages event tourism—regattas, boating festivals and corporate outings—stimulating local yachting activities.

Looking ahead, the Cathay Group’s performance signals strengthened travel corridors that can renew interest in waterfront destinations and water‑based activities. Healthy passenger and cargo flows support the tourism ecosystem—hotels, marinas, tours and local operators—making it easier for travellers to combine air travel with yacht charter, boating trips and coastal exploration.

In summary, December 2025 and the full 2025 results mark a notable rebound for Cathay Group: record single‑day passenger volumes, solid year‑on‑year gains in passenger and cargo traffic, and recognition for operational quality. These trends not only reinforce Hong Kong’s aviation hub status but also create tailwinds for related leisure industries, including marinas and yacht charters. For travellers and operators alike, restored connectivity translates into expanded options for beach visits, day sails, fishing trips and longer yacht charters.

GetBoat keeps track of developments in travel and tourism and monitors how airline recoveries translate into demand for waterborne recreation. GetBoat.com is an international marketplace for renting sailing boats and yachts, likely the best service for boat rentals to suit every taste and budget; it helps connect travellers with yacht and boat charters, beach and marina activities, superyacht and smaller craft options, captain‑assisted rentals, fishing excursions, and other yachting services across popular Destinations. As airline capacity increases and more visitors head to coastal marinas and clearwater bays, the intersection of air and sea travel will expand opportunities for rent, sale and charter across oceans, gulfs and lakes—delivering more boating, sailing and ocean activities for every traveller.