Cathay has been honoured with two prestigious accolades at Air Transport World’s (ATW) 51st annual Airline Industry Achievement Awards. Cathay Cargo has regained its position as Cargo Operator of the Year, having previously been named the world’s best cargo airline in 2023, while Cathay Pacific has been named Eco-Airline of the Year, the first airline in Asia to receive this recognition.
Expressing pride in achieving these significant recognitions, Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said: “Winning these two prestigious airline industry awards at the same time is an extraordinary achievement and a true testament to the efforts and dedication of our entire global team over the past year. I would like to sincerely thank our people for their incredible support and commitment, without which these award wins would not have been possible.
“Cargo has long been an important line of business for Cathay, and as the largest cargo operator at the world’s busiest cargo airport, we are committed to doing our part to strengthen Hong Kong’s position at the forefront of the global cargo industry. Sustainability is also an area where Cathay strives to be a leader, especially in the transition towards renewable energy in aviation. We are immensely proud to have been recognised in these two areas, and these accolades will serve as further motivation as we continue striving towards becoming one of the world’s greatest service brands.”
Cargo Operator of the Year
Cathay Director Cargo Tom Owen said: “We are honoured to receive the prestigious title of Cargo Operator of the Year, the second time in three years. This achievement reflects the unwavering dedication of our team and our crucial role in maintaining Hong Kong’s status as a leading global air cargo hub. As a homegrown carrier, we take immense pride in transporting cargo that matters, leveraging our efficient operations and extensive network. We remain committed to pushing the boundaries of air cargo services and collaborating closely with stakeholders to further establish Hong Kong as a premier gateway connecting the Chinese Mainland with the rest of the world.”
This recognition attests to Cathay Cargo’s unwavering pursuit of innovation and excellence in air cargo services. Cathay Cargo’s best-in-class services and solutions are built on a foundation of strategic initiatives and technological advancements that enhance operational efficiency, customer experience, and sustainability.
In 2024, Cathay Cargo opened new application programming interfaces (API) that allow forwarders to access its Click & Ship booking platform on their own in-house systems, and refreshed its Cathay Courier special solution by adding piece-level tracking to express delivery for small urgent shipments.
Earlier this year, Cathay Cargo also became the first carrier to adopt the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) ONE Record data protocol in some of its day-to-day operations with forwarders, one year ahead of IATA’s target date for ONE Record implementation in January 2026.
Eco-Airline of the Year
Sustainability is at the core of Cathay’s purpose — to move people forward in life. In line with this ethos, Cathay has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions in its operations by 2050 and transitioning towards more sustainable use of resources and circular solutions along the way.
Cathay General Manager Sustainability Grace Cheung said: “At Cathay, we believe that sustainability issues are complex and require collective effort. This recognition highlights the power of collaboration and our commitment to bringing together our people, customers, suppliers, business partners, regulators, and communities for a more sustainable future.”
To accelerate the transition to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), Cathay launched its Corporate SAF Programme in 2022, enabling corporate partners to reduce their indirect emissions associated with air travel and airfreight services. In 2024, the programme firmly established its leading position in Asia, with the introduction of new members and a record commitment of over 6,050 metric tonnes of SAF. Cathay has also successfully conducted SAF uplifts at both Hong Kong and other airports worldwide.
These latest accolades from ATW complement other recognitions received by Cathay, including Cathay Pacific being ranked among the world’s top five airlines by Skytrax and AirlineRatings, and its Economy class being named the world’s best.
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