Cathay Pacific increases capacity in 'reasonably buoyant' cargo market in May-2021

Cathay Pacific Group chief customer and commercial officer Ronald Lam stated (18-Jun-2021) the relaxation of crew quarantine requirements in mid Apr-2021 enabled the carrier to gradually reinstate cargo capacity throughout May-2021. However, the airline is yet to restore its full freighter schedule due to crew rostering lead times. Freighter services increased 24% and cargo only services with passenger aircraft increased 18% in May-2021, compared to Apr-2021. Mr Lam described the air cargo market in May-2021 as "reasonably buoyant", noting Taiwan was a stand out with "considerable export demand". Cathay also experienced "strong inbound and outbound demand on services to Asia, the Americas and Europe", which supported high load factors. Mr Lam commented: "Overall cargo demand remains firm. Passenger belly capacity will remain constrained, but with quarantine restrictions easing due to the high uptake of vaccinations by our freighter crews, we will see a further resumption of our freighter frequencies from Hong Kong". [more - original PR]