Cathay, Dragonair cargo flat in January

Cathay, Dragonair cargo flat in January Cathay Pacific and its new wholly owned subsidiary Dragonair carried 122,551 tons of freight in January, down 0.1 percent from the combined figure of the same month last year.
   The combined monthly cargo load factor for the two Hong Kong-based carriers was 62.2 percent, down 0.2 percentage points year-on-year. This was the first month that Cathay has included the figures from Dragonair since it acquired it late last year.
   'It was a slow start for cargo in January as the market took time to regain its momentum after the Christmas and New Year period,' said Ron Mathison, Cathay Pacific's director and general manager cargo. 'Chinese New Year falls much later this year, and that also explains the relatively low loads. There is a lot more capacity in the market, and Hong Kong is facing challenges from airports in the Pearl River Delta region, but we remain committed to growing our network and investing in our home hub.'
   In January, Cathay took delivery of its fourth 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter, while Dragonair received its second 747-400 BCF.