HONG Kong's Cathay Pacific carried 116,919 tonnes of cargo last month, an increase of 11.5 per cent compared with August last year.

The month's cargo revenue tonne kilometres (RFTKs) increased 13.2 per cent year on year. The cargo load factor decreased by 8.2 percentage points to 58.8 per cent, while capacity measured in available cargo tonne kilometres (AFTKs), increased by 29 per cent year on year.

In the first eight months of 2023, the tonnage increased by 20.8 per cent against a 87.8 per cent increase in capacity and a 60.5 per cent increase in RFTKs, as compared with the same period for 2022.

Commenting on the month's cargo business, Cathay Pacific's chief customer and commercial officer Lavinia Lau said: "August saw similar levels of demand and tonnage carried as July, as we continued through the traditionally quieter season for air cargo.

"As has been the case for a number of months now, e-commerce remains a bright spot for the business with tonnage continuing to see positive growth."

Looking ahead, MS Lau said: "For cargo, September marks the start of the traditional peak period and we are seeing demand beginning to pick up well as businesses plan ahead for consumer sales events such as 'Singles' Day' in the Chinese Mainland and 'Black Friday' in long-haul markets, as well as new consumer product launches that are on the horizon."

Cathay Pacific carried a total of 1,784,980 passengers last month, an increase of 603 per cent compared with August 2022.

In the first eight months of 2023, the number of passengers carried increased by 1,302 per cent against a 633.1 per cent increase in capacity and an 876.7 per cent increase in RPKs, as compared with the same period for 2022.

Commenting on the passenger statistics, Ms Lau said: "Travel demand remained strong as we entered the second month of the traditional peak summer season in August. We continued to increase our flight frequencies to cater for the strong demand."