Cathay Pacific continued to post double-digit year-on-year cargo growth in May as the 90-day tariff pause between China and the US helped lift demand.

The cargo arm of Hong Kong's flag carrier transported 135,807 tonnes of cargo last month, 12.2% more than the volume it carried during the same month in 2024.

Month-on-month, May's cargo volume was also higher than the 133,398 tonnes it transported in April. In March, Cathay Cargo carried 148,807 tonnes.

Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said the carrier's cargo business "performed well" in May, with tonnage 1.8% higher than in April.

"Despite the 'Golden Week' holidays, we saw growth in both the Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland markets, with the temporary reduction in tariffs pending an agreement between China and the United States boosting short-term demand," Lau said.

"In addition, our Cathay Live Animal solution experienced robust demand, particularly exports of live seafood from Southeast Asia, and horses from Australia," she added.

 [Source: Cathay Pacific]

Cathay Cargo saw available freight tonne kilometres (AFTKs) increased by 8% while load factor increased by 0.1 percentage points year on year.

In the first five months of 2025, the total tonnage increased by 12.3% compared with the same period in 2024.

"Turning to June, we expect that the overall market sentiment will remain reasonable and we will continue to maintain a close watch," Lau said.