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Cathay Pacific and Dragonair have released their joint operating statistics for March, showing an appreciable rise in both passenger and freight traffic for the month.
Passenger numbers increased by six per cent over the month to 2.22 million, while load factor increased to 85.7 per cent, a rise of 6.6 percentage points as capacity fell by 1.6 per cent. Significantly, Cathay’s general manager of revenue management Tom Owen said that yields were showing some signs of recovery. “Premium demand was also sustained at levels significantly higher than during last year’s market crash, but still fell short of the pre-recession levels we used to enjoy,” he said. “Forward demand recovery off last year’s low base in both our business and economy cabins remains encouraging over the next few months.”
Cargo also showed strong resilience, with freight tonnage up 22.9 per cent on the same time last year. Cargo services were also appreciably fuller, with load factor up 13.8 points to 81.7 per cent. Cargo capacity in freight-tonne kilometres increased by 0.7 per cent.
Cathay’s general manager cargo mainland China and Hong Kong James Woodrow said, “Demand in March was strong with improved yield and particularly high load factors. Regional traffic continued its good start to the year. Additional freighter flights were added in the second half of March to cope with the peak demand and the outlook for April continues to be promising.”
