Cathay Cargo to add transpacific freighter capacity as peak nears

Dhaka: Cathay Cargo is expanding transpacific freighter capacity this month to accommodate rising technology-related shipments ahead of the peak shipping season.

In the carrier's latest "From the Main Deck" newsletter, Jonathan Ng, Head of Cargo Hub Operations and Development, said transpacific trade has been driven by growth in semiconductor and data center equipment shipments from across Asia.

Ng said cargo demand remained positive through the summer, largely due to this growth, adding that additional freighter capacity is being deployed to the Americas from this month to balance demand and support further expansion during peak season.

Last month, Cathay reported that semiconductor and lithium battery shipments had lifted year-on-year cargo volumes in July.

Alongside steady transpacific trade, the airline has also seen rising volumes of lithium battery shipments from Northeast Asia and the Greater Bay Area moving through its Hong Kong hub.

A leased Airbus A330 passenger-to-freighter aircraft, currently being converted in Shanghai, will soon join the fleet to help Cathay Pacific subsidiary Air Hong Kong meet regional general cargo demand.

Cathay Cargo is also refining its specialist shipment handling, with a particular focus on safety standards.

Ng said the airline has been working closely with shippers and forwarders to ensure its checklists match requirements for growing volumes of AI chips, server racks, and vibration-sensitive wafer steppers.