Cathay Pacific releases April traffic figures

18 May 2001

Cathay Pacific Airways carried a total of 1,032,995 passengers in April, marginally higher than in the same month in 2000. While total numbers remained stable, the increased number of flights meant passenger load factor was 6.5 percentage points lower at 74.2%. Over the first four months, the airline carried a total of 3.9 million passengers, 3.1% higher than in the same period last year.

The amount of cargo carried in April fell by 10% to 56,914 tonnes compared to the same month last year, reflecting a general slowdown in the air cargo market. The cargo load factor declined was 9.1 percentage points lower at 63.7%. For the year to date, Cathay Pacific carried 227,922 tonnes of cargo, 3% lower than in the same period last year.

General Manager Network Revenue Ian Shiu said: "The global economic slowdown is clearly having an impact on the air cargo business. Passenger numbers are holding up relatively well, although load factors have fallen due to increased capacity."