13 Sep 2004

Cathay Pacific Releases August 2004 Traffic Figures

Cathay Pacific Airways today released traffic figures for August 2004, traditionally a peak month for leisure travel and an off-season for cargo.

In August, the airline carried 1,268,343 passengers, almost flat from 1,268,634 passengers carried in July, which was a record month. The passenger load factor remained high at 80.3 percent, again little changed from 81.3 percent in July.

The airline carried 77,395 tonnes of cargo, down from 80,811 tonnes in July, in a reflection of the quieter summer period for shippers. The cargo load factor was 64.7 percent, down from 69.6 percent the previous month for similar reasons.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Revenue Management, Sales & Distribution Ian Shiu said: "We responded to higher summer demand in August by operating a number of extra sectors including some special charters to Male in the Maldives. Yet with load factors already above 80 percent in July there was little room for an even higher spike in August."

Cathay Pacific Director & General Manager Cargo Ron Mathison said: "Demand for goods manufactured in the Chinese Mainland remains strong and Hong Kong continues to play an increasingly important role as the leading gateway to the Pearl River Delta. Cathay cargo loads should grow next month as we enter into the beginning of the traditional peak season but high fuel prices remain a serious concern."

Cathay Pacific Airways
Corporate Communication Department