Cathay Pacific releases February 2003 traffic figures

Cathay Pacific Airways today released its traffic figures for the month of February 2003 that reflected seasonal swings in business influenced by the shifting date of the Chinese New Year.

In February 2003, Cathay Pacific carried 974,108 passengers, 3.3 percent up on the same month a year ago yet down from 1,084,481 passengers carried  in January 2003. The passenger load factor slipped 4.2 percentage points from February 2002 because Cathay Pacific now has more aircraft in service than it did this time last year.

At the same time, Cathay Pacific carried 62,155 tonnes of cargo, down from 68,226 tonnes in January but up 4.7 percent from February 2002.

Cathay Pacific General Manager Revenue Management, Sales and Distribution Ian Shiu said: "It is always difficult to make meaningful year-on-year comparisons at this time because of the Chinese New Year – a  peak travel time. If you average out both January and February figures we are still maintaining good positive growth, although First and Business Class loads are still down."

Cathay Pacific General Manager Cargo Kenny Tang said: "Volume at the start of the month was affected by the holidays – traditionally a slack period  for cargo – yet picked up later in the month on all trunk routes. Year to date we have achieved 6.5 growth in terms of tonnage carried, which is a satisfactory result."