Cathay Pacific Airways today released traffic figures for February 2005
that reflect the seasonal influence of the Chinese New Year holiday.
The airline carried 1,158,154 passengers in February, a 24.1 percent
rise from the same month last year, yet down slightly on 1,206,784
passengers carried this January. The average passenger load factor was
77.4 percent.

At the same time it carried 73,420 tonnes of cargo, down from 74,929
tonnes the month before. Cargo shipments are traditionally slower around
the holiday period as businesses take an extended break, but recover
soon after.

Cumulative figures for the first two months, which generally iron out
distortions created by holiday, show a 14.7 percent increase in the
number of passengers carried and a 1.2 percent increase in cargo. Much
of this growth reflects the airline’s continued investment to expand the
fleet and increase services to strengthen Hong Kong as a hub.

The passenger load factor for the first two-months was 78.5 percent, up
2.4 percentage points over the same period last year - good in view of a
corresponding 12 percent increase in capacity, measured in terms of
Available Seat Kilometres.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Revenue Management, Sales & Distribution
Ian Shiu said: “It was a good Chinese New Year, and we set a new one-day
passenger record of 51,738 on 13 February, the last travel day of the
holiday.  February’s passenger total dipped below that for January
because the month was shorter by three days, but, overall, business was
good, supported by strong corporate travel” 

Cathay Pacific Director & General Manager Cargo Ron Mathison said: “As
expected, business over the Chinese New Year holiday was slower, but has
since rebounded again as shippers try to catch up with backlogged
orders. Trunk routes to North America and Europe are very busy and our
outlook remains good.” 
——-