Cathay Cargo adds an Airbus A330 freighter from Air Hong Kong to support further growth

Reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as the world’s leading air cargo hub

Following Cathay Cargo’s recent announcement of a firm order for two additional Airbus A350F freighters last month, the Cathay Group is further reinforcing its freighter fleet with the announcement today that Air Hong Kong has signed a lease agreement for an Airbus A330P2F converted freighter. These aircraft will provide additional cargo capacity for customers and further reinforce Hong Kong’s status as the world’s busiest air cargo hub.

This latest A330 freighter will be used by Air Hong Kong primarily to operate freighter services to the Chinese Mainland and other regional destinations for Cathay Cargo. Air Hong Kong is the first all-cargo freighter airline based in Hong Kong and a part of the Cathay Group.

Cathay Director Cargo Dominic Perret said: “The Cathay Group is strengthening our freighter fleet to support Cathay Cargo’s capacity growth plans, strengthen our network, and reinforce Hong Kong’s status as the world’s leading air cargo hub. The additional capacity offered by Air Hong Kong’s latest A330 freighter will complement Cathay Cargo’s future A350F freighters, providing us with greater agility to build our regional cargo network and making more options available for our freight forwarder partners.”

Air Hong Kong Chief Operating Officer Agatha Lee said: “We look forward to welcoming this newest addition to our fleet, which will enable Air Hong Kong to leverage the opportunities presented by the Three-Runway System at Hong Kong International Airport to expand our presence in the region. This marks an exciting chapter for Air Hong Kong as we expand our business to support the ongoing development of the Hong Kong international aviation hub.”

The A330 freighter will join Air Hong Kong’s fleet in the fourth quarter of 2026 under a long-term lease agreement with Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (ATSG) for an aircraft owned by its leasing subsidiary, Cargo Aircraft Management (CAM), a global leader in aviation leasing. Air Hong Kong currently operates an all-A330 freighter fleet of 14 aircraft providing express cargo services for DHL Express.

Cathay Cargo operates its own fleet of 20 Boeing 747 freighters, in addition to utilising belly capacity on the Cathay Group’s passenger network serving more than 100 destinations worldwide.

The Cathay Group has committed well over HK$100 billion in investments into its fleet, cabin and lounge products, and digital innovation. This includes orders for more than 100 state-of-the-art narrowbody, regional widebody, long-haul widebody and large freighter aircraft as part of its all-encompassing fleet renewal and expansion plan.