Airlines

Cathay Group achieves record 100,000 daily passengers as recovery completed

Hong Kong's flagship carrier marks full return to pre-pandemic capacity with ambitious expansion plans for 2025

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A computer render of an Airbus A330neo wearing Cathay Pacific colors. (Photo: Airbus)

Cathay Group achieved a significant post-pandemic milestone in December 2024, carrying more than 100,000 passengers in a single day as Hong Kong’s flagship carrier completed its two-year rebuilding journey.

The group’s airlines – Cathay Pacific and HK Express – transported 100,856 passengers on December 15, 2024, marking the first time passenger numbers exceeded 100,000 since the pandemic. The milestone was repeated eight more times during the year-end holiday period.

“We are thrilled to have concluded the year 2024 on a high note with yet another milestone,” said Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam. “The past year saw unprecedented progress and expansion for the Cathay Group, thanks to our people’s dedication and efforts.”

The achievement coincides with the group’s announcement that it has restored 100% of pre-pandemic flight frequencies starting January 2025. The carrier projects its network will serve 100 destinations worldwide by year-end, reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a global aviation hub.

Cathay Pacific is expanding its long-haul network with new routes to Dallas, Munich, Brussels, and Hyderabad. The carrier recently resumed seasonal flights to Cairns, Australia. Meanwhile, its low-cost subsidiary HK Express has added Shizuoka to its Japanese network and plans to launch service to Sendai this month.

The recovery mirrors Hong Kong’s broader aviation renaissance, supported by the commissioning of the Three-Runway System at Hong Kong International Airport. This expansion enables the city to handle increased air traffic and strengthens its role as a connection point between mainland China and global destinations.

Written by
Dirk Andrei Salcedo

Dirk is the founder and editor-in-chief of Aviation Updates Philippines (AUP), a platform dedicated to providing the latest news and insights on the aviation industry in the Philippines. With a strong passion for aviation and a background in computer engineering, he manages all aspects of AUP, from website development to content curation.

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