Cathay Pacific Airways today released traffic figures for October 2003 that show greater stabilisation in the passenger market and an all-time record for one-month cargo shipments.

In October 2003 Cathay Pacific carried 1,017,884 passengers, up from 951,703 passengers in September, though down 3.5 percent year-on-year. The average load factor was 73.9 percent, almost two percentage points lower than in October last year. However, this dip was in the context of a 2.4 percent increase in the number of flights operated by the airline.

Since restoring full capacity in later September, Cathay Pacific has added frequencies to Auckland, Melbourne and Rome. An additional weekly service will operate to Johannesburg from 1 December and a three-times-weekly service to Beijing will commence on 2 December.

The airline carried a record 87,275 tonnes of freight in October, up from 75,651 tonnes in September and a 2.4 percent increase year-on-year.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Revenue Management, Sales & Distribution Ian Shiu said: "The market shows signs of improvement with more Business Class and individual, rather than group, travellers, both of which help to stabilise yield. General demand is clearly stronger for long-haul services than it is for those operating within the region. However, a significant proportion of customers are still buying seats at the last minute, making it difficult to accurately gauge forward bookings."

Cathay Pacific General Manager Cargo Kenny Tang said: "October's record figures show that cargo's traditionally busy fourth quarter is gaining strength as the holiday season draws near. Hong Kong's export market remains robust, particularly on trunk routes to the US, Europe and Japan."

* AHK European routes are included, with cumulative October 2002 figures restated for comparison purposes.

Cathay Pacific Airways
Corporate Communication Department