Cathay Cargo congratulates Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) for being named the world's busiest cargo airport according to Airports Council International for the 14th time since 2010. This remarkable achievement underscores HKIA's pivotal role in global air cargo, and Cathay Cargo is honoured to have contributed to this success.

Cathay Director Cargo Tom Owen said: "That Hong Kong has once again been named number one in the world for air cargo is an outstanding achievement and one that stands as testament to the cooperation, innovation and world-leading facilities that our home hub has to offer. As the largest cargo operator at HKIA, we are proud to be part of this success story. ​

“We won’t rest on our laurels, however, and our investments into our fleet, network, facilities and digital capabilities reflect not only our commitment to, but also our confidence in the long-term future of the Hong Kong international aviation and logistics hub. We look forward to continuing to work together with the entire air cargo community, including the Transport and Logistics Bureau, Civil Aviation Department, Airport Authority Hong Kong and other important stakeholders, to innovate and ensure HKIA maintains its position as the world’s best and busiest air cargo hub."

Cathay Cargo is among the top 10 cargo carriers in the world based on scheduled cargo tonne kilometres (CTK), and number five as a combination airline, according to the latest International Air Transport Association (IATA) 2023 World Air Transport Statistics. In 2024, Cathay Cargo carried a total of 1.5 million tonnes of cargo, 11% more than the previous year, and representing around 31% of the total cargo volume handled by HKIA.

Cathay Cargo provides scheduled freighter services to more than 40 destinations worldwide in addition to utilising belly space on the Cathay Group's passenger aircraft across its extensive global network.

With its deep roots in Hong Kong, Cathay is firmly committed to the continued growth of the Hong Kong international aviation and logistics hub, with more than HK$100 billion in investments coinciding with the commissioning of the Three-Runway System. As part of this investment, the Cathay Group has commenced taking delivery of over 100 new-generation passenger and freighter aircraft that will join its fleet in the coming years. This includes six new Airbus A350F freighter aircraft, with the option to acquire an additional 20 in the future, which will enhance Cathay Cargo's fleet capabilities.

Last month, Cathay Cargo was named Cargo Operator of the Year by Air Transport World, further solidifying Hong Kong’s leadership in the industry.

Cathay Cargo Terminal pioneers Autonomous Electric Tractor operations for cargo

First end-to-end trial of Autonomous Electric Tractors across cargo terminal and ramp operations at Hong Kong International Airport

Monday, April 14, 2025 Cathay Cargo Terminal has completed the first end-to-end trial of Autonomous Electric Tractor (AET) operations for direct towing from the inside of the terminal to the West Cargo Apron (WCA) at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

The trial involved a fully autonomous electric tow-tractor pulling four cargo dollies into the Cathay Cargo Terminal and driving itself to the correct cargo transfer gate for loading. After loading, the AET drove itself out of the terminal and successfully completed its journey across HKIA to the furthest cargo apron, the WCA, delivering the cargo ready to be loaded directly onto a Cathay Cargo flight.

A unique feature of this initiative is the precise docking solution, enabling the AET’s towing dolly chains to automatically align with the transfer deck for seamless Unit Load Device (ULD) loading. Enhanced security features also allow the AET to be digitally checked into and out of the terminal without compromising security.

The project is a collaborative effort between Cathay Cargo Terminal, the Airport Authority Hong Kong, and UISEE, one of China’s leading autonomous driving companies. This breakthrough not only streamlines cargo movement, but also strengthens operational safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

Cathay Cargo Terminal Chief Operating Officer Mark Watts said: “This has been an important proof-of-concept to show that AETs are capable of more advanced workflows than we have seen so far for cargo, reducing manual processes and significantly enhancing operational efficiency. This also improves overall cargo flow at the world’s busiest cargo hub and significantly reduces carbon emissions associated with traditional ground service equipment.”

In addition to ongoing trials with AETs, Cathay Cargo Terminal is also piloting the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) for its non-electric cargo tractors.  HVO is a renewable alternative to fossil-based diesel, with the ability to reduce the lifecycle carbon emissions approximately 80-90%, according to industry data. 

Cathay’s Mark Watts added: “HVO is a very important step, but continued electrification is the ultimate vision to help us reduce carbon emissions and pursue Cathay’s digital and sustainability leadership.”

Airport Authority Hong Kong Acting Deputy Director, Airport Operations Wing Yeung said: “This new milestone reinforces HKIA’s leadership in smart logistics and sustainable aviation development, paving the way for further advancements in autonomous vehicle solutions in cargo-handling. The successful deployment of AETs in end-to-end cargo operations reflects the HKIA community’s continuous efforts in the adoption of smart airport initiatives and to reinforce the airport’s position as a global aviation hub.”

For more information, please visit www.cathaycargo.com.