Cargo demand has remained positive over the summer, particularly due to growth in semiconductor and data-centre equipment shipments from across Asia to our transpacific markets. Closer to home, we’ve also seen increasing volumes of lithium battery shipments from Northeast Asia and the Greater Bay Area passing through our Hong Kong hub. This contributed to six per cent year-on-year network growth in cargo carried in July, but also some things to ponder as we approach the peak season.
The first priority is getting the balance between demand and capacity right. We’re adding additional freighter capacity to the Americas from this month to meet current demand and support further growth during the peak. We’re also preparing to receive a leased Airbus A330 freighter, which is currently undergoing conversion from a passenger aircraft in Shanghai. It will be operated on our behalf by our Cathay Group stablemate Air Hong Kong, representing a new operating model for both carriers. Its arrival in Q4 will help us to meet increased regional demand for general cargo.
While quantity is important, we’re equally focused on service quality and innovation, both at our hub and across the network, particularly in relation to our special shipment solutions and safety around the transport of lithium-ion batteries. For example, we’ve been working closely with shippers and forwarders to ensure that our checklists align with their requirements for the increasing volumes of AI chips, server racks, vibration-sensitive wafer steppers.
Developing the Hong Kong for a connected future
We continue to expand our intermodal links with the Greater Bay Area. These, especially those enabling expedited perishable imports by air, land and sea, will be central to our promotional work around the Asia Fruit Logistica trade show at the start of September. Longer term, you can read more about our work with the authorities to transform Hong Kong into a connected intermodal smart port through the Port Community System, which will provide a single view for shipment tracking.
Read more: Innovating service at the Hong Kong hub – and beyond link
Air Hong Kong on the express business and flying for Cathay Cargo
As wholly-owned Cathay subsidiary Air Hong Kong prepares to welcome the Airbus A330-P2F freighter that it will operate on Cathay Cargo’s behalf, we catch up with Chief Operating Officer Agatha Lee and find out how she is settling in, one year into the job.
Read more: Air Hong Kong prepares for closer ties with Cathay Cargo
How the equine stars of Cavalluna travel and stay fresh for their performance
One of the shipments we’re most looking forward to seeing pass through the Hong Kong hub is a shipment of around 50 horses, arriving at the start of September. None of our equine guests are “ordinary”, but these horses are especially remarkable. They are the highly trained stars of the musical spectacular ‘Cavalluna: Gate to the Otherworld’, which is making its Asian debut in Hong Kong after a successful run in Europe. We look at how travelling with Cathay Cargo enables these stars to perform at their very best.
Read more: Performing at their peak link
80 years of innovation
Cathay has an 80-year history of deploying technology, innovation or just plain initiative to deliver for customers.
Read more: 80 years of delivering with innovation
80th Anniversary: thanks for the memories
We check in with some of our people, past and present, to hear about their favourite memories of working for Cathay Cargo and the lessons they learned along the way.
Read more: Our people past and present reflect on Cathay Cargo
