The Cathay Group reported an attributable profit of HK$10.8 billion for 2025, marking its third consecutive year of solid financial performance and an increase from HK$9.9 billion in 2024.
The Hong Kong-based airline group said the improved result was driven by increased capacity, strong passenger load factors and resilient cargo demand, although passenger yield normalisation and losses at low-cost subsidiary HK Express partially offset the gains.
The Group’s airlines and subsidiaries recorded an attributable profit of HK$10 billion for the full year, compared with HK$8.8 billion in 2024. Associates contributed a profit of HK$447 million, up from HK$288 million in the previous year.
The 2025 result included a non-recurring gain of approximately HK$878 million recorded under other income following a settlement agreement related to an aircraft parts management joint venture with Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company (HAECO).
The group announced a second interim dividend of HK$0.64 per share, bringing total ordinary share dividends for 2025 to HK$0.84 per share, equivalent to HK$5.2 billion.
Cathay Group chair Patrick Healy said: “I am pleased to report that 2025 marked our third consecutive year of solid financial performance. This is an excellent achievement that reflects the commitment of our teams and provides us with a solid foundation from which we can continue to sustainably grow our business for our customers, our people, our shareholders and Hong Kong.”
Fleet expansion remains a key focus as the airline continues to rebuild capacity. Cathay said eight new narrowbody aircraft will be delivered in 2026, while the group currently has more than 100 aircraft on order across narrowbody, regional widebody, long-haul widebody and large freighter segments as part of a broader investment programme exceeding HK$100 billion in fleet, cabin and digital upgrades.
All aircraft in the group’s fleet are now fully resourced and operational, with recruitment and training continuing to support planned capacity growth.
Cathay expects passenger capacity to increase by around 10% in 2026 as the airline adds frequencies and destinations across its network.
The group expanded its passenger network to more than 100 destinations in 2025 after Cathay Pacific and HK Express launched services to 20 new destinations during the year.
Cathay Pacific is also continuing a major cabin refurbishment programme. The airline is retrofitting Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with its new Aria Suite product and plans a full “nose-to-tail” retrofit of its Airbus A330-300 fleet starting at the end of 2026. The A330 upgrade will include a new Aria Studio flat-bed business class seat with direct aisle access.
In addition, Cathay is reducing the number of economy seats on its Airbus A321neo aircraft to provide more passenger space.
The airline will also launch a new Hong Kong–Seattle service on 30 March 2026 as it continues to rebuild its long-haul network.
Meanwhile, Cathay Cargo said it will remain focused on deploying capacity across its global network to respond to evolving cargo market demand while continuing to build on its core strengths in the freight sector.