I set off from Hong Kong in the middle of the May to the CNS Partnership Conference in Miami for the opportunity to meet many partners and to listen to their perspectives on the challenges we’re facing.  I left one place only to find when I landed in the States that circumstances had changed significantly in terms of trade and tariffs.

That’s the kind of volatility that the industry faces. In the interim, pauses in the movement of e-commerce have led to inevitable changes to how such goods are moved, with business models changing to B2B2C, thereby reducing the impact from changes to de minimis exemption. When barriers are put up, businesses find a way to adapt. And that’s what we are doing through understanding what our partners need and identifying emerging opportunities.

Facing up to new realities at the CNS Partnership Conference

It was no surprise that every conversation with customers at the CNS Partnership Conference in Miami touched on the current trade situation. It was also good to hear senior industry figures restate just how important air cargo is to people’s lives, be it a schoolchild’s first laptop or an important movement of vaccines. I enjoyed catching up with customers and partners, and I really appreciated the strength of our relationships, particularly at this time. I got a distinct sense of the belief that the pendulum will swing back but also the expectation that volatility will continue. Goods are still going to be produced and moved, so we will remain committed to react quickly and to work with customers to adjust our schedules and frequencies as needed. 

Read more: Cathay Cargo at the CNS Partnership Conference

Resilience and patience in the Hong Kong market

There was more of this spirit of resolve at our 2024 Top Customer Awards Dinner, our annual appreciation for our top Hong Kong partners. We hosted around 120 guests, and spirits were high.  Many of our partners in the city have been in the business for a long time, and understand the ups and downs. As well as being able to raise a glass to them in appreciation of their commitment and support, we collectively celebrated that Hong Kong continues to be the world’s busiest air cargo hub, and we shared our pride in being named Cargo Operator of the Year in the ATW Airline Awards – for the second time in three years.

Read more: Cathay Cargo hosts the 2024 Top Customer Awards Dinner

New passenger services boost our belly capacity 

New routes on the Cathay Group passenger network, which already offers nearly 100 destinations, will add much-requested cargo capacity.  For example, Munich, and new seasonal Rome services both come online in June, with Brussels starting in early August.  These new flights provide exciting new cargo opportunities. 

Read more: How Cathay Cargo aims to make the most of the belly capacity from new passenger services

How we’re trotting to success in racing

Recently we told you about our charters to fly in showjumping stars to Hong Kong for the Hong Kong International Horse Show.  But we also fly many more horses for many more events. Harness racing, for example, is a sport in which riders are pulled in lightweight “sulky” carts. It’s a big sport in the US, and we ship up to 150 of these animals from Australia to the US each year. Our expertise and Cathay Live Animal solution and network enables these equine shipments to succeed.

Read more: How Cathay Cargo ships harness-racing horses

These “business as usual” shipments are a clear demonstration of the value of air cargo. Fluctuations, uncertainties and surprises are the new norm, and we are committed to working together in the months and years ahead, no matter what challenges we’re faced with.