The Cathay Group has reported a double-digit rise in airfreight volumes for July, with Cathay Cargo carrying more than 140,000 tonnes during the month.
The airline said cargo tonnage was up 11% year-on-year, while Available Freight Tonne Kilometres (AFTKs) also increased by 11%. Over the first seven months of 2025, volumes were likewise 11% higher than the same period in 2024.
Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said the uplift reflected “the movement of air cargo ahead of the tariff timelines”, with demand particularly strong on routes from Southeast Asia into Hong Kong, driven by machinery and perishables.
The carrier also reported robust demand for its Cathay Fresh service, supported by the seasonal movement of cherries from the United States. Capacity in July grew 6% compared with the previous month.
Lau cautioned that the operating environment remains volatile. “Looking ahead, the external environment remains uncertain and we will continue to stay vigilant and agile while serving demand where it arises,” she said.
The figures underline Cathay Cargo’s role as a key player in regional and transpacific freight, at a time when shifting trade flows and tariffs are reshaping demand patterns across the global air cargo market.