Cathay Pacific officially launched its direct route between Urumqi and Hong Kong on April 28, operating four weekly flights using Airbus A330-300 aircraft. The new service offers travelers in Xinjiang and China’s broader western region a more convenient link to Hong Kong—and, through it, to nearly 100 global destinations served by the Cathay Group.
Urumqi is the central aviation hub of Xinjiang and a key node in the Belt and Road Initiative, connecting northwestern China with Central Asia. Hong Kong, in contrast, is a well-established global center for finance, trade, and logistics.
Arnold Cheng, Cathay Group’s director for mainland China, said the airline envisions the new route as a two-way bridge: one that draws international travelers through Hong Kong into Xinjiang, and another that channels outbound passengers from Urumqi to the wider world. Speaking with 36Kr and other media, Cheng highlighted Hong Kong’s strong connectivity across East and Southeast Asia as a foundation for building a multidimensional air traffic network—anchoring Hong Kong as a global hub and Urumqi as a strategic outpost linking East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia.
Cathay also plans to leverage its multimodal transport network across the Greater Bay Area to consolidate passenger flows from cities like Shenzhen and Guangzhou. By integrating land transport with air routes, passengers across the region can travel to Urumqi via Hong Kong, boosting the network’s reach and operational efficiency.
Cheng noted that policy changes—such as eased transit visa rules—could further position Hong Kong as a compelling gateway for international visitors heading to Xinjiang. The route, he added, could help showcase Xinjiang’s tourism assets and drive upgrades in the local travel sector.
From the Xinjiang side, Lu Huibin, general manager of Xinjiang Airport Group, said Cathay’s new route responds to growing demand for air travel from the region and surrounding areas. He described the route as an enabler for expanding Urumqi’s role as an international aviation hub, linking Central and West Asia with the broader Eurasian market.
On the freight side, Cathay aims to maximize use of the route’s bellyhold capacity. With strengths in cold-chain logistics and high-value cargo, the airline is positioning Urumqi as a logistics gateway—forming a high-efficiency corridor between Central Asia and Hong Kong. From there, goods can be routed to Southeast Asia and global markets. The corridor is expected to improve cross-border logistics, reduce costs, and support trade in Xinjiang’s agricultural and manufactured exports.
Cathay’s latest financial results reflect the momentum behind these ambitions. In 2024, the airline reported revenue of HKD 104.37 billion (USD 13.5 billion), up 10% year-on-year (YoY). Net profit rose slightly to HKD 9.89 billion (USD 1.3 billion)—its highest since 2011. Passenger volume reached 22.827 million, a 26.9% increase over the previous year, with a load factor of 83.2%. The company added 15 new passenger destinations in 2024, restoring its flight volume to pre-pandemic levels.
Cargo operations also posted strong growth. Cathay handled 1.532 million metric tons of freight in 2024, up 10.9% YoY, with cargo revenue exceeding HKD 24 billion (USD 3.11 billion). E-commerce and increased electronics shipments were key growth drivers, while freight volume from Greater Bay Area cities surpassed previous-year totals.
With the Urumqi route now operational, Cathay expects to operate around 300 round-trip flights weekly between Hong Kong and 22 mainland Chinese cities during the upcoming summer travel season, more than any other carrier on the route.
KrASIA Connection features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This article was written by Huang Nan for 36Kr.