Hong Kong International Airport named world’s busiest cargo airport for the 14th time since 2010

Cathay Cargo congratulates Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) for being named the world’s busiest cargo airport according to Airports Council International for the 14th time since 2010. This remarkable achievement underscores HKIA’s pivotal role in global air cargo, and Cathay Cargo is honoured to have contributed to this success.

Cathay Director Cargo Tom Owen said: “That Hong Kong has once again been named number one in the world for air cargo is an outstanding achievement and one that stands as testament to the cooperation, innovation and world-leading facilities that our home hub has to offer. As the largest cargo operator at HKIA, we are proud to be part of this success story. ​

“We won’t rest on our laurels, however, and our investments into our fleet, network, facilities and digital capabilities reflect not only our commitment to, but also our confidence in the long-term future of the Hong Kong international aviation and logistics hub. We look forward to continuing to work together with the entire air cargo community, including the Transport and Logistics Bureau, Civil Aviation Department, Airport Authority Hong Kong and other important stakeholders, to innovate and ensure HKIA maintains its position as the world’s best and busiest air cargo hub.”

Cathay Cargo is among the top 10 cargo carriers in the world based on scheduled cargo tonne kilometres (CTK), and number five as a combination airline, according to the latest International Air Transport Association (IATA) 2023 World Air Transport Statistics. In 2024, Cathay Cargo carried a total of 1.5 million tonnes of cargo, 11% more than the previous year, and representing around 31% of the total cargo volume handled by HKIA.

Cathay Cargo provides scheduled freighter services to more than 40 destinations worldwide in addition to utilising belly space on the Cathay Group’s passenger aircraft across its extensive global network.

With its deep roots in Hong Kong, Cathay is firmly committed to the continued growth of the Hong Kong international aviation and logistics hub, with more than HK$100 billion in investments coinciding with the commissioning of the Three-Runway System. As part of this investment, the Cathay Group has commenced taking delivery of over 100 new-generation passenger and freighter aircraft that will join its fleet in the coming years. This includes six new Airbus A350F freighter aircraft, with the option to acquire an additional 20 in the future, which will enhance Cathay Cargo’s fleet capabilities.

Last month, Cathay Cargo was named Cargo Operator of the Year by Air Transport World, further solidifying Hong Kong’s leadership in the industry.