Hong Kong Airlines Ltd expects to finish 2015 on a high despite a fall in general visitor numbers to Hong Kong.
The airline projects more than six million passengers by the end of the year.
The carrier’s load factor was up to 82% for the first six months of 2015, compared to 78% a year ago.
Sun Jianfeng, the airline’s executive vice-president said loadings should be much higher for the remainder of the year, as it is peak season for air travel.
"Our positive performance has been aided by the mainland’s booming outbound tourism market," Sun said.
Sun said although inbound tourism to Hong Kong is down, traffic from transit passengers more than made up for it.
The number of transit and same day travellers rose 8.4% between January and June 2015.
Hong Kong Airlines will start flying its first Australian route to Cairns early next year, with planned onward connections to New Zealand.
"Australia and New Zealand are just the first steps of our going global," said Li Dianchun, HK Airlines’ commercial director.
