The airline, Hong Kong’s national carrier, had operated at 11% of its pre-pandemic passenger capacity last month, while some of the world’s strictest COVID-19 regulations, outside of mainland China, hit trips to the financial center.
While the city suspended a rule that banned flights for bringing passengers infected with COVID-19 in early July, all Hong Kong arrivals are still required to complete a week of hotel quarantine and self-identify. Comply with frequent testing orders.
Cathay also said it expects freight capacity to reach almost 65% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2022, up from around 56% in June.
“We expect planned capacity increases to continue to have a positive impact on our monthly operating cash burn,” the airline said in a statement.
In May, Cathay said it expected cash burn to be less than HK$500 million ($63.70 million) per month for the next few months.
Rival Singapore Airlines Ltd said earlier this month it expected passenger capacity to reach around 81% of pre-pandemic levels by December.