Cathay marks double victory at the 51st Airline Industry Achievement Awards

Cathay received two prestigious accolades at Air Transport World’s (ATW) 51st annual Airline Industry Achievement Awards. 

Cathay Cargo regained its position as Cargo Operator of the Year, having previously been named the world’s best cargo airline in 2023; while Cathay Pacific was hailed Eco-Airline of the Year, the first airline in Asia to receive this recognition.

Cathay chief customer and commercial officer Lavinia Lau said of the double victory: “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.”

Lau pointed out that cargo has long been an important line of business for Cathay, and as the largest cargo operator at the world’s busiest cargo airport, the company is committed to doing its part to strengthen Hong Kong’s position at the forefront of the global cargo industry. 

She added: “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.”

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.

In pursuit of excellence in the air cargo sector

Cathay’s director of 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.”

The award is proof of 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.

Likewise, its innovative intermodal services between Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and Dongguan exemplify Hong Kong’s strategic role as a gateway connecting the Chinese Mainland with the world. 

By pioneering upstream cargo acceptance in Dongguan for exports and now offering direct sea-air transport for inbound shipments, Cathay Cargo enhances efficiency and connectivity in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). 

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.

Both Cathay Cargo and the Cathay Cargo Terminal in Hong Kong hold the full set of IATA Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) certifications, demonstrating their expertise in handling special cargo. 

Cathay Cargo Terminal was also one of the first cargo-handling companies to achieve the IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) certificate in Asia.

In addition, Cathay Cargo is committed to championing innovation to empower its people while elevating the experience for its customers. 

Through digital tools such as the digital hub, Cathay Cargo ensures timely interactions with its customers. 

Meanwhile, the introduction of the Cargo Connect app improves operational efficiency and the experience of its frontline teams by providing easily accessible information such as assigned duties, rosters and flight schedules all in one place.

An airline where sustainability is in the heart

Sustainability is at the core of Cathay’s purpose to move people forward in life. 

In line with this ethos, Cathay 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’s general manager for sustainability Grace Cheung said: “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.

Last year, Cathay also co-initiated the launch of the Hong Kong SAF Coalition together with the Business Environmental Council (BEC). 

Joining hands with partners from across the value chain, Cathay has taken concrete steps in promoting the development of a supportive SAF policy at its Hong Kong hub.

In addition to addressing climate change, Cathay has made great strides in adopting sustainable and circular solutions for resource use. 

In particular, Cathay Pacific has committed to reducing its reliance on single-use plastics (SUP), with a pledge to cut the use of passenger-facing SUP items from 7.7 pieces per passenger in 2019 to 1.5 pieces by the end of 2025. 

As of the end of 2024, Cathay Pacific’s SUP usage had been reduced to 2.6 pieces per passenger.

To further mitigate the impact of SUP, Cathay has introduced enhanced approaches to boost inflight recycling of water bottles, the largest SUP item by volume onboard, by improving procedures and partnering with the Airport Authority Hong Kong on a pilot scheme to enhance the collection and sorting process in 2024. 

Additionally, from July 2024, all bottled water uplifted from Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific’s flights is packaged in 100 percent recycled plastic (rPET) bottles, marking another step towards mitigating SUP usage.