Cathay Pacific releases traffic figures for November 2022

Cathay Pacific has just released its traffic figures for November 2022, which continued to reflect encouraging signs of recovery for the airline and the Hong Kong international aviation hub.

Cathay Pacific carried a total of 526,827 passengers last month, an increase of 652.1% compared with November 2021, but a 79.9% decrease compared with the pre-pandemic level in November 2019. The month’s revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) increased 565.5% year-on-year, but were down 73.7% versus November 2019. Passenger load factor increased by 51.7 percentage points to 78.5%, while capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASKs), increased by 127.2% year-on-year, but decreased by 73.1% compared with November 2019 levels. In the first 11 months of 2022, the number of passengers carried increased by 220.5% against a 33.9% increase in capacity and a 211.9% increase in RPKs, as compared with the same period for 2021.

The airline carried 103,092 tonnes of cargo last month, a decrease of 23.8% compared with November 2021, and a 42.1% decrease compared with the same period in 2019. The month’s cargo revenue tonne kilometres (RFTKs) decreased 27.8% year-on-year, and were down 38% compared with November 2019. The cargo load factor decreased by 15.6 percentage points to 66.9%, while capacity, measured in available cargo tonne kilometres (AFTKs), decreased by 11% year-on-year, and was down by 36.4% versus November 2019. In the first 11 months of 2022, the tonnage decreased by 12.6% against a 20.7% decrease in capacity and a 30.6% decrease in RFTKs, as compared with the same period for 2021.

Travel

Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Ronald Lam said: “We continue to see positive signs for our travel business. Sentiment and demand for travel out of Hong Kong continued to improve in November. We also saw increased visiting friends and relatives (VFR) traffic into Hong Kong, particularly from long-haul origins such as North America, Europe and the South West Pacific. Transit traffic via the Hong Kong hub also improved as we grow our network of destinations.

“On average, we carried about 17,600 passengers a day in November, up from around 13,000 in October. Passenger flight capacity increased about 16% versus the previous month. Overall, we operated 27% of pre-pandemic capacity levels in November.

“We continued to add more flights to more destinations last month, in particular to and from popular places in Japan as well as Southeast Asia, which saw huge demand from Hong Kong. As expected, Japan was our top destination in terms of passenger numbers while load factor on these flights stayed high at 86%. November also saw the resumption of passenger flights to Denpasar (Bali), Tokyo (Haneda) and Zurich.

Cargo

“On the cargo side, demand remained flat in November compared with the previous month despite it being the start of the traditional peak cargo period. We carried 103,092 tonnes of cargo last month, approximately 6% less than in October, while cargo flight capacity was down about 2% in November compared with the previous month. Overall, we operated about 64% of pre-pandemic capacity levels.

“Production activities in the Chinese Mainland and trade flows remained constrained. While we did witness a mild uptick in e-commerce movements into the Americas around the Black Friday shopping period, a similar surge on regional lanes was more short-lived.

“Conversely, movements of perishable goods from South America as well as Australia and New Zealand were relatively active. As such, we operated five non-scheduled services from Darwin, Australia carrying fresh seasonal produce into North Asia to capitalise on this activity. 

“Building on the experience gained over the past few years and the evolving needs of the pharmaceutical industry, last month we refreshed our pharmaceuticals solution under a new name, Cathay Pharma. This has seen us enhance our customer proposition, making it easier for customers to identify all of the possible options for pharmaceutical shipments in a more streamlined way.” 

Outlook

Cathay Pacific welcomes the Hong Kong SAR Government’s latest measures to facilitate travel to Hong Kong, in particular the decision to remove the Amber Code restrictions under the Vaccine Pass for inbound persons entering Hong Kong effective today. The adjustments will help further boost sentiment for travel, especially among inbound visitors, thereby aiding the resumption of travel activities and strengthening of network connectivity at the Hong Kong aviation hub.

Lam said: “As we approach the festive Christmas and New Year holiday period, travel demand continues to improve. We are further increasing our passenger flight capacity and resuming more destinations, including Sapporo, Fukuoka, Penang and Dhaka in December, as well as Phuket and Nagoya in January next year. We expect that short-haul routes to leisure destinations such as Japan and Southeast Asia will remain strong, continuing on into the Chinese New Year holiday peak as well.

“We are also extremely excited for our customers to be able to experience our elevated, premium First class service again, which is now available on our prime London Heathrow flight, CX251/CX252. First class will be coming to our Paris flight, CX261/CX260, from 18 January 2023 and our Tokyo (Haneda) flight, CX548/CX549, from 1 February. Customers departing Haneda Airport can also enjoy our signature Cathay Pacific Lounge, which reopened earlier this month.

“Regarding cargo, our expanding passenger travel network will provide our cargo customers with more destinations and greater frequencies to choose from as well. However, we expect headwinds in the air cargo market to continue in the short term until supply chains in the Chinese Mainland become more stable and inventory levels in key consumer markets reduce.”

The full November figures and glossary are on the following pages.

CATHAY PACIFIC    TRAFFIC	NOV 2022	% Change VS NOV 2021	Cumulative NOV 2022	% Change YTD
RPK (000)
- Chinese Mainland	53,816	150.2%	429,520	55.5%
- North East Asia	245,551	3,704.2%	478,396	625.6%
- South East Asia	270,586	858.5%	835,108	307.4%
- South Asia, Middle East  & Africa	127,425	1,559.2%	358,925	829.5%
- South West Pacific	394,953	690.2%	1,419,388	652.7%
- North America	781,031	359.1%	4,241,903	144.6%
- Europe	743,137	580.7%	3,296,724	217.7%
RPK Total (000)	2,616,499	565.5%	11,059,964	211.9%
Passengers carried	526,827	652.1%	2,002,696	220.5%
Cargo revenue tonne km (000)	619,556	-27.8%	5,128,117	-30.6%
Cargo carried (000kg)	103,092	-23.8%	1,048,015	-12.6%
Number of flights	1,849	-12.2%	16,611	4.2%

 

CATHAY PACIFIC    CAPACITY	NOV 2022	% Change VS NOV 2021	Cumulative NOV 2022	% Change YTD
ASK (000)
- Chinese Mainland	127,912	55.5%	1,085,875	51.0%
- North East Asia	294,494	545.9%	849,799	72.5%
- South East Asia	395,516	301.5%	1,420,589	51.2%
- South Asia, Middle East  & Africa	179,042	797.8%	612,393	372.8%
- South West Pacific	476,134	1.3%	2,023,860	-26.1%
- North America	932,994	138.6%	5,709,490	32.2%
- Europe	928,774	157.5%	3,906,261	68.5%
ASK Total (000)	3,334,866	127.2%	15,608,267	33.9%
Passenger load factor	78.5%	51.7%pt	70.9%	40.4%pt
Available cargo tonne km (000)	925,416	-11.0%	7,221,601	-20.7%
Cargo load factor	66.9%	-15.6%pt	71.0%	-10.1%pt
ATK (000)	1,243,891	5.5%	8,715,910	-14.7%

 

Glossary

Terms:

Available seat kilometres (“ASK”)

Passenger seat capacity, measured in seats available for the carriage of passengers on each sector multiplied by the sector distance.

Available tonne kilometres (“ATK”)

Overall capacity measured in tonnes available for the carriage of passengers, excess baggage, cargo on each sector multiplied by the sector distance.

Available cargo tonne kilometres (“AFTK”)

Cargo capacity measured in tonnes available for the carriage of freight on each sector multiplied by the sector distance.

Revenue passenger kilometres (“RPK”)

Number of passengers carried on each sector multiplied by the sector distance.

Cargo revenue tonne kilometres (“RFTK”)

Amount of cargo, measured in tonnes, carried on each sector multiplied by the sector distance.

Star Alliance Lounge at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport Now Open to Pay-per-use Customers

All passengers on Star Alliance member airlines, regardless of cabin class or membership status, can now choose to indulge at the lounge before a flight.

Star Alliance, winner of the world’s best airline alliance and best alliance lounge at Skytrax, is now offering pay-per-use access to the Star Alliance lounge at Rome Fiumicino (FCO) airport. Besides providing complimentary access for eligible customers, the lounge will now also welcome other Star Alliance passengers regardless of membership status or cabin class, for a nominal fee.

This is the fourth of six Star Alliance-branded lounges to offer paid access, after the Star Alliance lounges in Rio De Janeiro (GIG) Airport, Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Star Alliance’s Rome Fiumicino airport lounge is located in the Intra-Schengen zone in Terminal 3 of FCO. It welcomes passengers of all flights operated by Star Alliance members from Fiumicino Airport, and is particularly convenient for customers travelling within the European Schengen Zone.

The tastefully designed lounge offers a view of the runway and features Italian designer furniture and art evoking the culture and atmosphere of Rome’s iconic landmarks and city scenes. Italian culinary delights, as well as a round-the-clock bar serving aromatic Italian coffee and other beverages, complete the experience. The lounge offers high-speed WiFi internet access and is well-equipped to cater to both business and leisure travellers. It can accommodate up to 130 guests.

Star Alliance VP Customer Experience Christian Draeger said: “Whether you’re leaving Rome after business meetings, or after visits to the Colosseum, the Sistine Chapel and Trevi Fountain, there’s no better way to relax than a trip to our stylish Star Alliance lounge at the airport. “We’re excited to make this experience accessible to even more passengers, by opening up paid access to our lounge at Fiumicino Airport. Pre-booking of lounge access vouchers is also easy, with our simple, online process.”

Easy and Affordable Online Booking

Passengers can pre-book and purchase lounge access vouchers on Star Alliance’s website, https://www.staralliance.com/lounge-access. Subject to availability at the time of booking, they would receive a confirmation email with a QR code valid for the day(s) and time(s) selected. At the airport, they can simply scan this QR code at the lounge entrance and walk in. Vouchers are affordably priced from EUR45 for three hours of use. Passengers will also enjoy a discount if they are a member of any Star Alliance member airline’s frequent flyer programme.

Vouchers are affordably priced from EUR45 for three hours of use. Passengers will also enjoy a discount if they are a member of any Star Alliance member airline’s frequent flyer programme.

SWISS to fly the ‘new technology’ Airbus A350-900 from 2025

SWISS is to mark a new milestone in the modernization of its long-haul aircraft fleet: from 2025 onwards, the airline will gradually introduce five advanced, highly economical and carbon-efficient Airbus A350-900 twinjets to its intercontinental operations. The new aircraft will replace SWISS’s four remaining four-engined Airbus A340-300s in the longer term. The Airbus A350-900 is one of the quietest and lowest-emission long-haul aircraft of its kind, and will help SWISS substantially further improve its carbon emission credentials. SWISS will also equip its advanced new twinjets with an innovative high-quality cabin interior that will further enhance its guests’ air travel experience in all seating classes.

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is taking a further major step forward in the modernization of its long-haul aircraft fleet. From 2025 onwards, Switzerland’s biggest airline will gradually take delivery of five new advanced, highly economical and low-emission Airbus A350-900 twinjets, which will replace the airline’s four remaining four-engined Airbus A340-300s in the longer term. The five aircraft concerned are part of a total order for twenty-five A350-900s which was placed by the Lufthansa Group in 2019. In doing so, SWISS is further underlining its endeavours to make its flight operations more sustainable, while also raising its customers’ air travel experience to new levels in all seating classes.

“We are very pleased to have achieved our turnaround after the coronavirus crisis and be back on a sound financial track,” says SWISS Chief Executive Officer Dieter Vranckx. “As a result of this, we are now in a position to invest again in the future of our company, in our people and in the quality that we offer our travelling guests. With this planned substantial modernization of our long-haul aircraft fleet, we are setting a vital course to sustainably maintain our competitive edge over the longer term.”

An advanced, low-emission and economical latest-generation aircraft

The two-engined Airbus A350-900 is one of the most advanced and economical long-haul aircraft in airline service today. It produces some 25 per cent fewer carbon dioxide emissions than its predecessor, and is more than twice as quiet, too. The A350-900 also consumes as little as 2.5 litres of kerosene per 100 passenger-kilometres. In its SWISS configuration, the twinjet will be equipped with an innovative and state-of-the-art cabin interior in all seating classes. It also offers a particularly large cargo capacity which will further support SWISS’s Swiss WorldCargo business.

“Our decision to acquire the Airbus A350-900 is a clear commitment to further enhancing the sustainability of our flight operations,” CEO Vranckx continues. “Our new long-haul twinjet will play a substantial part in achieving our ambitious climate goals. And in adding this latest-generation aircraft to our fleet, with all the additional inflight comfort it will provide for our guests, we are also further confirming our position as a premium air carrier.”

Eco-garden competition winners announced

Eco-garden competition winners announced as prize pot increases to £60,000

Seven green-thinking local schools have won a share of £60,000 in Stansted Airport's eco-garden competition.

Primary schools within ten miles of the airport were encouraged to submit designs for gardens or green spaces that improve biodiversity to compete for the cash prizes.

A prize fund of £45,000 was initially offered by the airport for the competition but due to the high quality of entries, it decided to award grants to all shortlisted schools, resulting in a total prize pot of £60,000.

The designs were assessed by a panel which included representatives of the airport’s corporate social responsibility team and the Stansted Airport Community Trust.

Various layouts were submitted, including proposals for ponds, outdoor classrooms, sensory gardens, food growing areas, and accessible green spaces.

Bishop's Stortford's Hertfordshire and Essex High School, Hockeril Anglo-European College, Richard Whittington Primary School, Thorn Grove Primary School, Windhill 21 Primary School, St Mary's C of E Primary School in Saffron Walden and Great Easton Primary School are the seven schools sharing the £60,000 prize pot.

Daniel Burford, Stansted Airport’s Community Engagement Manager, said: "We had some really fantastic ideas on our shortlist, and it was really tough to narrow it down, so we decided to award cash prizes to all of the shortlisted schools, increasing the total prize pot from £45,000 to £60,000. We are really pleased with how many entries we had, and the winners should be proud of themselves. We hope that the prize money will make a difference and allow the schools to bring their brilliant ideas to life. These ideas will not only lead to the creation of new wonderful and rich green spaces and provide children with an excellent learning experience, but it will also contribute to their mental and physical well-being and highlight how important it is to respond to today’s climate challenge. Addressing this is one of our key priorities as the airport continues its recovery from the pandemic. We are fully focused on how this can be achieved sustainably and to help accelerate our progress towards becoming a Net Zero Carbon business by 2038, and a Net Zero Carbon industry by 2050.”

Bishop’s Stortford MP Julie Marson said: "I am delighted that so many schools in Bishop’s Stortford have received this fantastic award. Congratulations to them for all their creativity and hard work. Having encouraged headteachers across Hertford and Stortford to sign-up to the eco-schools programme earlier this year, I fully support Stansted’s work to champion this brilliant initiative now. I look forward to following all future progress.”

Windhill Primary in Bishop's Stortford received the good news from councillor Graham McAndrew, executive member for environmental sustainability at East Herts Council. He said: “I would like to congratulate the Windhill 21 Primary School on winning the cash prize in the Stansted Airport Eco Garden competition. It was great meeting the pupils and teachers today and seeing their design and the proposed location of the eco-garden. It will be exciting to see their project come to life.”

Garry LeCount, Uttlesford district councillor, visited St Mary's Primary School in Saffron Walden to announce their success. He said: “It was a pleasure to be invited to St Mary’s and announce that they had been chosen as the winners – it was a lovely surprise for the children. A competition like the Eco-Garden is an excellent way for young people to learn about the importance of protecting the environment and encouraging biodiversity. Congratulations to them.”

Mr Chris Jarmain, Head Teacher at St Mary’s Primary, said: “We were absolutely delighted to receive this exciting grant to create an Eco-Garden for our school, St Mary's, in Saffron Walden. This award will give our pupils the opportunity to broaden their knowledge of managing and maintaining a garden and its tools safely. It will also help the children to understand where food comes from and how to eat healthily and sustainably.  This new area will boost the physical and mental wellbeing of the children as well as their resilience, allowing them to connect with nature in all weathers. Thanks to our Forest School Leader and Sports Leader, Mrs McInnes as well as our Year 6 Eco Committee for putting in all of the hard work on this incredibly important project, which will have so many benefits for our school children for years to come. A truly long-lasting legacy!”

Mr Craig Wood, Head Teacher at Richard Whittington Primary School in Bishop’s Stortford, said: "This was a great competition delivered by the Stansted Airport Community Trust, our pupils thoroughly enjoyed designing the garden and are very excited to turn their dream garden into a learning and well-being space for the whole school.”

The Stansted Airport Community Trust is funding the competition, which supports initiatives in those areas most affected by the airport's operations. The airport has announced that it will donate £1.5 million to the Trust over ten years to support local charities and community projects.

Want to book a private jet? There's an app for that

ONEflight International, Inc. launched the Book a Jet (BAJit) application today, a mobile platform designed to securely search, select, and book private aircrafts. Available on both Apple and Android devices, the BAJit app unlocks the private aviation booking experience to anyone with a cell phone across the globe.

“We are thrilled to roll out our app to the masses. Flying private should be as simple as flying commercial or even scheduling an Uber,” said Ferren Rajput, Founder and CEO of ONEflight International. “The BAJit app puts it in everyone’s hands and allows users to choose private jets that suit their needs based on what’s available, the size, pricing, and amenities they desire.”

The BAJit app grants users access to over 5,000 aircraft and 700 charter companies globally. Members and non-members alike may track planes, flight paths, and save searches on the app, heightening price visibility and comparison shopping for customers searching for the best deal. Domestic flights are guaranteed if booked within 10 hours of launch while the same can be said within 96 hours for international trips. Rajput expects this to drop even further in the future.

“Our goal is to drive booking to under a day’s notice for all flights. Eventually, we expect customers will be able to choose a flight path then be on the plane just a few hours later. ONEflight is revolutionizing an industry that historically relied on calling a travel agent and it wasn’t easily accessible to the general public,” said Rajput.

The COVID-19 lockdowns, travel restrictions, and mask mandates of 2020 severely stifled the airline industry. As society inched back to normalcy in 2021 and 2022, labor shortages, mass flight cancellations, and lost luggage complaints plagued commercial airlines and left many travelers searching for an alternative. Private air travel bookings surged and, despite the end of the pandemic, customer retention remains high for the industry.

ONEflight in particular garnered several fans due to its technologically advanced air travel experience. In the past year alone, the private aviation company welcomed several high-profile brand ambassadors: three-time Superbowl champion John Elway, entrepreneur and Shark Tank personalities like Robert Herjavec and Kevin O’Leary, and former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci. Some clients include Kurt Russell, Kevin Costner, and more. Inc. 5000 also named ONEflight as one of 2021’s Fastest Growing Companies in the United States.

“Customer experience is always our top priority, from the moment they book the flight until the moment they arrive at their destination,” said Rajput. “There will be more enhancements to come to make flying private even easier. Stay tuned.”

Flexjet completes seventh Air Charter Safety Foundation Industry Audit standard.

Flexjet, Inc., a global leader in subscription-based private aviation, today announced it has, once again, successfully completed the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) Industry Audit Standard (IAS) audit. Not only has it completed a record-setting seventh audit, but it was the first company in the world to meet and pass the audit in 2009.

Designed specifically for Part 135 and Part 91 aircraft operators such as Flexjet, this audit aims at those who are committed to going far above the minimum safety requirements.

This audit has led the industry in setting high-performing safety standards and has consistently increased the audit’s safety performance evidence over the years. In April 2021, the IAS added the evaluation of an operator’s compliance with FAR 14 CFR Part 5 SMS standards (the FAA SMS voluntary implementation program) and ICAO Annex 19 safety management.

Safety is the highest priority at Flexjet and this announcement is one more in a long line of safety accolades and initiatives. Flexjet announced earlier this year its active conformance with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Safety Management System (SMS) and its 23rd Federal Aviation Administration Diamond Award of Excellence for Aviation Maintenance Technician Training.

Tony Wood joins Airbus Board of Directors as a non-executive director

Tony Wood joins Airbus Board of Directors as a non-executive director

Following a decision by the Airbus Board of Directors, Tony Wood has joined the Board as a non-executive director with immediate effect, replacing Lord Paul Drayson who resigned on the day of the 2022 Annual General Meeting.

In accordance with the Board of Directors’ internal rules and the Company's Articles of Association,  Tony Wood's appointment as a non-executive director for a three year mandate will be submitted for approval at the next Annual General Meeting of shareholders in April 2023.

Tony Wood has extensive experience of the aerospace industry and defence sector. He is currently a Member of the Board of National Grid plc, an energy transmission company operating in the UK and the US.

"We are pleased to welcome Tony to our Board. He brings a wealth of global industry experience with him and we look forward to working closely together," said Airbus Chairman René Obermann.