Cathay Pacific’s passenger traffic recovery continues. The Hong Kong carrier has carried over 10 million passengers so far this year. It released monthly passenger traffic performance figures for August, carrying nearly 1.8 million last month. It was a 600% rise compared to a year ago. The month's revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) increased 342.8% year on year. Passenger load factor was up 19.4% to 88%, while capacity increased by 244.9% year on year. Cathay carried 116,919 tonnes of cargo last month, up 11.5%. Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said: "Travel demand remained strong as we entered the second month of the traditional peak summer season.” “We continued to increase frequencies to cater for the strong demand. Newly resumed flights serving Johannesburg received positive response.” "In the first half of the month, there was high demand for leisure travel to short-haul destinations. Cathay also saw increased demand for outbound travel from Japan to HK and onward destinations in Asia and Europe in mid-August. Cathay also cited ‘a notable increase in student travel’ to Canada, the US and the UK from Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland.  

Cathay Pacific is introducing a new plant-based in-flight menu in collaboration with a leading hotel brand. The airline has teamed up with Hong Kong-based restaurant, VEDA by Ovolo. This in-flight menu partnership will provide Cathay Pacific customers with expanded plant-based options in Premium Economy and Economy class on selected long-haul flights. it aligns with VEDA's and Ovolo Hotels' ongoing Plant'd pledge to ethical eating. Ovolo says it is the first hotel brand globally to commit to a vegetarian-led offering. Cathay GM of Customer Experience, Vivian Lo said: "We know inflight dining is extremely important to our customers, and we carefully work with partners to bring them memorable experiences.” Premium Economy menu highlights include Bombay carrot salad, Keralan-style coconut curry and roasted vegetable tagine with halloumi cheese. The collaboration with VEDA marks a series of upgraded experiences for customers. Cathay Pacific will unveil other inflight dining enhancements in due course.

Cathay Pacific is welcoming passengers on board as flights between the UK and Hong Kong restart on 1 April. The first flight departed from London Heathrow on 31 March landing in Hong Kong on 1 April. Cathay Pacific’s Manchester - Hong Kong service restarts on 3 April. Due to relaxed restrictions, fully vaccinated Hong Kong residents will also be permitted entry with a reduced seven nights in a dedicated quarantine hotel Additional requirements including pre-departure PCR testing and travel declaration forms remain in place. The Hong Kong Airport transit ban will also be lifted by 1 April. Travellers will now be able to connect through Hong Kong to onward destinations, as Cathay Pacific is opening up travel options to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia and more destinations. All First and Business Class passengers alongside selected members of the Marco Polo Club and the oneworld partner programme departing from London Heathrow can enjoy the Cathay Pacific airport lounge in Terminal 3.