Cathay Pacific releases November 2005 traffic figures

In the UAE alone, Cathay carried over 23% more passengers in November 2005 compared to the preceding year.

The airline carried 1,283,169 passengers in November, an 8.1 percent increase on the same month last year, and 100,130 tonnes of cargo, a 15.2 percent rise. Passenger growth was slightly below a corresponding 9.7 percent increase in capacity, measured in terms of Available Seat Kilometres. Cargo tonnage was again boosted by transhipment cargo to and from Shanghai.

Last month Cathay Pacific operated 2,878 flights, a 10.7 percent increase year-on-year. The airline has in the past year expanded its fleet and strengthened its network. Eight additional aircraft entered service with Cathay Pacific in 2005.

In November, a new three-times-weekly freighter service was launched to Dallas and Atlanta in the United States. Passenger services to Europe were strengthened with the announcement of a daily service to Rome, plus a new service to Moscow and Manchester. All will start 27 March 2006.

Cathay Pacific also announced its biggest-ever new aircraft acquisition with orders for 16 long-haul Boeing 777-300ER and purchase rights on 20 more, plus three Airbus A330-300s for regional services. The airline will have 100 aircraft in 2006, its 60th Anniversary.

November's figures also show the passenger load factor was 76.3 percent, down 0.8 points year-on-year and the cargo load factor was 68.7 percent, almost unchanged from last year despite a corresponding 6.8 increase in capacity measured in terms of Available Cargo Tonne Kilometres.

"Despite today's challenging business conditions, the long-term future for air travel is for steady growth and we expect our own passenger numbers to rise at least in line with this growth."

"Business was good in November, even though demand is usually softer ahead of the year-end holidays. Capacity has increased significantly from the same month last year. December looks set to be a strong month. We are committed to the long-term growth of the airline, and this puts us on a firm footing for future success,"

said James Evans, Country Manager for the UAE and Oman, Cathay Pacific.