Cathay Pacific Cargo tracking

What is Cathay Pacific Cargo?

Cathay Pacific Cargo, rebranded as Cathay Cargo in 2023, is the dedicated air freight division of Cathay Pacific Airways Limited, a combination carrier headquartered at Hong Kong International Airport. The cargo division accounts for approximately 24% of the Cathay Pacific Group's annual revenues, a figure that reflects how central freight operations are to the company's overall financial performance. The carrier moves freight both in the belly holds of passenger aircraft and aboard a dedicated fleet of more than 20 purpose-built freighters, giving it flexibility across different route types and cargo segments.

The origins of Cathay Cargo trace back to the founding of Cathay Pacific Airways on September 24, 1946, by two former Allied Air Force pilots, Australian Sydney de Kantzow and American Roy Farrell. Both men had flown supply missions over the Himalayas during World War II and recognised the commercial potential of air transport across Asia in peacetime. Freight was on the airline's agenda from its earliest years. On January 28, 1950, the carrier commenced dedicated freight services from Sydney to Shanghai after securing a freight licence in Australia. In 1976, the formal Cathay Pacific Cargo brand was launched, making the airline the first Asian carrier to establish a dedicated freighter service brand. The Boeing 747F became the workhorse of the freighter fleet from 1982 onwards, when the carrier acquired its first 747 freighter from British Airways.

A major infrastructure milestone was reached in 2013 when the Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal commenced full operations at Hong Kong International Airport. Designed with an annual throughput capacity of 2.7 million tonnes, the facility increased HKIA's total cargo handling capacity by 50% upon opening, from approximately 4.8 million to 7.4 million tonnes per year. In December 2023, the carrier announced a firm order for 6 Airbus A350F next-generation freighters, with contractual rights to acquire 20 more, representing a significant investment in long-haul freight capacity for the years ahead. That same year, the division formally rebranded from Cathay Pacific Cargo to Cathay Cargo as part of the group's unified master brand strategy.

• Founded: Cathay Pacific Airways established September 24, 1946; the Cathay Pacific Cargo brand launched in 1976; rebranded to Cathay Cargo in 2023
• Headquarters: 9F, Central Tower, 8 Scenic Road, Lantau, Hong Kong SAR, China, at Hong Kong International Airport
• Hub airport: Hong Kong International Airport, ranked the world's busiest international air cargo airport by volume for consecutive years
• Parent company: Cathay Pacific Airways Limited, with Swire Pacific Limited holding approximately 45 to 48% of shares and Air China Limited holding approximately 30%
• IATA carrier code: CX
• Air Waybill prefix: 160, giving all Cathay Cargo Air Waybills the format 160-XXXXXXXX
• Freighter fleet: 14 Boeing 747-8F and 6 Boeing 747-400ERF, totalling 20 dedicated freighters, with 6 Airbus A350F on firm order
• Annual cargo throughput: 1.5 million tonnes in 2024, up 11% year-on-year
• Quality certifications: IATA CEIV Pharma, CEIV Fresh, CEIV Live Animals, and CEIV Lithium Batteries
• Cargo revenue share: Approximately 24% of the Cathay Pacific Group's total annual revenues

The carrier has earned several industry awards, including the Air Transport World Cargo Airline of the Year in both 2023 and 2025 and the Payload Asia Overall Carrier of the Year for the Asia-Pacific region in 2022. Cathay Cargo is particularly noted for its pharmaceutical logistics capabilities, its perishables handling infrastructure, and its early adoption of the IATA ONE Record data standard for real-time shipment and customs information exchange. The combined passenger and freighter network gives the group access to more than 190 destinations across more than 60 countries, with Hong Kong International Airport serving as the primary hub for all international cargo operations.

Which countries does Cathay Pacific Cargo deliver to?

Cathay Cargo's network spans more than 190 destinations in more than 60 countries, drawing on both the belly capacity of the Cathay Pacific passenger fleet and the carrier's dedicated freighter services. Hong Kong International Airport is the sole primary hub, and the carrier's operations have been central to establishing HKIA as the world's busiest international air cargo airport. Dedicated scheduled freighter services reach approximately 45 destinations globally, covering the main trade lanes across North America, Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Northeast Asia.

The freighter network reaches major North American gateways including Atlanta, Calgary, Chicago, Columbus in Ohio, Dallas, and Los Angeles. In Europe, key freighter destinations include Amsterdam and Frankfurt, with the passenger belly network extending access across the broader European market. The Middle East is served through Dubai. Within Asia, freighter coverage is particularly dense, spanning Bengaluru, Chennai, Chengdu, Chongqing, Colombo, Dhaka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hyderabad, Jakarta, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, Osaka, Penang, Phnom Penh, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, Xiamen, and Zhengzhou, among others. The Hong Kong to Taipei route records the highest single-lane flight frequency in the network, with over 4,444 flights documented.

• North America: Atlanta, Calgary, Chicago, Columbus (Ohio), Dallas, and Los Angeles on dedicated freighter services, with passenger belly capacity extending access to additional US and Canadian cities
• Europe: Amsterdam and Frankfurt on dedicated freighter services, with broader European coverage across EU member states, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland via the passenger network
• Middle East: Dubai, with connections across the Gulf region via passenger services
• South Asia: Bengaluru, Chennai, Colombo, Dhaka, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and New Delhi
• Southeast Asia: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Penang, Phnom Penh, Singapore, Bangkok, and Manila, among others
• Northeast Asia: Osaka, Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei, Tokyo, Xiamen, and Zhengzhou

Cathay Cargo has also developed intermodal connections linking the Greater Bay Area of southern China to the HKIA hub. The carrier was the first airline and cargo terminal operator to have cargo formally accepted at Dongguan in the Pearl River Delta and transported by sea to Hong Kong International Airport for outbound airfreight, creating a sea-air intermodal export pathway for manufacturers in the region under the Airport Authority Hong Kong's Logistics Park Pilot Scheme. In Vietnam, full freighter services from both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi began in March 2008, reflecting the country's growing importance as a manufacturing and export base in Southeast Asia.

What are the Cathay Pacific Cargo services and delivery times?

Cathay Cargo organises its freight solutions into a structured suite of branded products, each targeting a specific cargo segment with dedicated handling protocols, certifications, and service commitments. The portfolio covers general air freight, express shipments, temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, perishables, live animals, high-value goods, dangerous goods, oversized project cargo, and international mail. Approximately 50% of all cargo flown by the Cathay Pacific Group is carried in the belly holds of passenger aircraft, with the remainder transported on dedicated freighters.

• Cathay Pharma: IATA CEIV Pharma-certified pharmaceutical freight solution, supported by a purpose-built Pharma Handling Centre at HKIA with capacity to process 235,000 tonnes of pharmaceutical cargo per year, doubled cold storage area, and 24/7 dedicated customer support
• Cathay Fresh: Perishables logistics covering fresh produce, seafood, cut flowers, and live seafood with full cold chain management. Cathay Cargo was the first airline and cargo terminal operator in the world to achieve IATA CEIV Fresh certification
• Cathay Live Animal: Transport of live animals in compliance with IATA Live Animals Regulations. Cathay Pacific was the first airline in Asia to achieve IATA CEIV Live Animals accreditation, with the certification renewed in September 2023
• Cathay Secure: High-value cargo solution with enhanced security protocols throughout the shipment lifecycle, designed for jewellery, electronics, luxury goods, and currency
• Cathay Dangerous Goods: Managed transport of IATA-classified dangerous goods, including a Cargo Agent Operation Programme for agent and freight forwarder education and an indemnity scheme for mislabelled items. The carrier holds IATA CEIV Lithium Batteries accreditation both as an airline and at ground handling level
• Cathay Courier: Express service for small packages, high-value e-commerce, personal effects, and documents, with piece-level tracking, dedicated customs clearance, and a "next flight out" commitment once shipments are accepted at origin
• Cathay Expert: Personalised logistical support for oversized, special, or project cargo that cannot be handled under standard procedures, with tailored solutions provided by dedicated operational staff
• Cathay Mail: Specialist solution for international mail handling, catering to postal operators and mail-related customers

The most specific published transit times apply to the Cathay Courier product. Intra-Asia regional shipments transit within approximately 24 hours from acceptance at origin, while long-haul shipments or those transiting through Hong Kong are typically delivered within 24 to 48 hours. The "next flight out" commitment means express shipments are loaded on the very next available flight once accepted at the departure station, minimising dwell time before departure.

For general cargo and specialist solutions such as Cathay Pharma, Cathay Fresh, and Cathay Live Animal, transit times are route-dependent and are provided at the time of booking. The hub-and-spoke structure of the network, with HKIA as the primary connection point, means that most intercontinental shipments involve a Hong Kong transit, with the layover time included in the quoted transit window. Customs clearance time at the destination falls outside the carrier's direct control and adds to the total door-to-door delivery time for any cross-border shipment.

What are the Cathay Pacific Cargo rates and maximum dimensions accepted?

Cathay Cargo's freight pricing is based on chargeable weight, which is the greater of the actual gross weight and the volumetric or dimensional weight of the shipment. Rates are dynamic and fluctuate with fuel prices, route demand the specific product tier selected, and the booking channel used. Current rate information is available through the Click and Ship online booking platform and through the EzyCargo portal, both of which display live pricing and space availability at the time of booking.

Maximum weight and dimension limits for individual shipments depend on the aircraft type operating a given route. The Boeing 747-8F freighters in the fleet are capable of carrying outsized and overweight individual pieces that exceed the capacity of standard passenger belly holds. The Cathay Expert product is specifically designed for such shipments and provides personalised operational support for project and oversized cargo with non-standard requirements. For Cathay Courier shipments, piece dimensions must be compatible with standard cargo handling systems, with specific published limits provided at the quotation stage based on the applicable origin and destination pair.

• Pricing basis: Chargeable weight, defined as the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight, multiplied by the applicable rate per kilogram for the route and product tier
• Rate availability: Live pricing and space availability displayed through the Click and Ship and EzyCargo booking platforms at the time of booking
• General cargo limits: Vary by aircraft type and route. Boeing 747-8F freighters can accommodate large single pieces that exceed standard belly-hold capacity
• Oversized cargo: Handled under the Cathay Expert product with personalised operational support for non-standard dimensions and weights
• Courier package limits: Specific weight and dimension limits for Cathay Courier shipments provided at the quotation stage based on the applicable route

What are the Cathay Pacific Cargo delivery options?

Cathay Cargo operates primarily as a business-to-business air freight carrier, with the core service model being airport-to-airport. Under this model, shipments are tendered by licensed freight forwarders acting on behalf of the shipper at the origin cargo terminal and collected at the destination terminal by the consignee or their appointed agent after customs clearance. This reflects the carrier's focus on trade lanes involving commercial shippers, manufacturers, exporters, and freight forwarding companies rather than individual parcel recipients.

The Cathay Courier product offers an extended model that includes first-mile collection from the shipper's premises and last-mile delivery to the consignee's address, alongside the standard airport-to-airport option. This makes Cathay Courier the most accessible product in the portfolio for e-commerce merchants, individuals sending personal effects, and document senders requiring express handling with pickup and delivery included. Piece-level tracking and dedicated customs clearance are provided throughout the service at both the airport-to-airport and door-to-door levels.

• Airport-to-airport: Standard model for business-to-business freight. Shipments are tendered at the origin cargo terminal by freight forwarders and collected at the destination terminal by the consignee or their agent after customs clearance
• Door-to-door (Cathay Courier): First-mile collection from the shipper's premises and last-mile delivery to the consignee's address, available for express Cathay Courier shipments
• Ultra Track monitoring: Real-time monitoring via Bluetooth Low Energy data-loggers physically attached to individual shipments, capturing GPS location, temperature, humidity, light levels, and vibration data. The 24/7 Operations Control Centre can dispatch corrective instructions to ramp and terminal staff if any parameter deviates from agreed thresholds. Customers can initiate live chat with the Operations Control Centre directly from the tracking interface while the shipment is in transit

What should I do if my Cathay Pacific Cargo parcel is lost or damaged?

Claims for lost, damaged, or delayed cargo are governed by the Montreal Convention, the international treaty applicable to international air freight, as well as by the carrier's Conditions of Carriage for Cargo and the terms of the Air Waybill contract. Any visible damage or shortage must be noted at the time the shipment is collected from the destination cargo terminal. Formal written claims must be filed within the timeframes set under the Montreal Convention, which are 14 days from delivery for damaged goods, 21 days for delayed goods, and 2 years from the date of delivery or intended delivery for lost goods.

Cathay Cargo maintains cargo offices globally to handle commercial, operational, and claims enquiries. In the United States, offices are located at Washington Dulles International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, and Los Angeles International Airport. The global registered address for the group is 9F, Central Tower, 8 Scenic Road, Lantau, Hong Kong SAR, China. Support channels include website contact forms, phone enquiries through local cargo offices, live chat, and direct messaging via Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter.

• Step 1 - Record damage at collection: Note any visible damage, shortage, or loss at the time the shipment is collected from the destination cargo terminal, before signing off on receipt
• Step 2 - Gather documentation: Collect the original Air Waybill, commercial invoice, packing list, and photographs of any visible damage or packaging defects before filing
• Step 3 - File within Montreal Convention deadlines: 14 days from delivery for damage, 21 days for delay, and 2 years from the date of delivery or intended delivery for loss
• Step 4 - Contact a cargo office: Submit the claim through the nearest Cathay Cargo office or the carrier's website contact form. US offices are located at Washington Dulles, San Francisco, and Los Angeles
• Governing framework: Claims are subject to the Montreal Convention, the Cathay Pacific Conditions of Carriage for Cargo, and the Air Waybill contract terms

Does Cathay Pacific Cargo handle international shipments and customs formalities?

Cathay Cargo is a fundamentally international carrier, with virtually all of its business involving cross-border air freight subject to import and export customs regulations across multiple jurisdictions. The carrier complies with Pre-Load Advanced Cargo Information requirements imposed by importing countries' customs authorities, including the European Union's Import Control System 2, the US Customs and Border Protection Air Cargo Advance Screening programme, and similar regimes in Canada and the United Arab Emirates. This pre-screening data must be transmitted before a shipment is loaded onto the aircraft, and the resulting clearance status is visible in the shipment's tracking record.

In late 2024, Cathay Cargo became the first airline in the world to provide real-time customs clearance status updates via the IATA ONE Record data protocol. This integration feeds live customs status from European, US, Canadian, and UAE customs systems directly into customer-facing tracking tools, arriving a full year ahead of IATA's industry-wide ONE Record adoption target of January 2026. Technical implementation was carried out in partnership with Global Logistics System Hong Kong Company Limited. The first Hong Kong-based freight forwarder to go live on the ONE Record link was Sinotrans Hong Kong Air Transportation Development, in January 2025.

The carrier processes 100% of its Hong Kong export shipments on electronic Air Waybill, eliminating paper documentation for the airway bill contract at origin, with electronic Air Waybill penetration across the global network at approximately 95%. Customs duties, import taxes, and applicable fees at the destination are normally the responsibility of the consignee, unless Delivered Duty Paid terms have been agreed between the shipper and consignee. The carrier handles the presentation of customs documents and the pre-clearance data exchange, but financial liability for duties rests with the importing party under standard freight arrangements.

• PLACI compliance: Pre-load customs data transmitted to EU (ICS2), US (CBP ACAS), Canadian, and UAE customs authorities before cargo is loaded onto the aircraft
• Electronic Air Waybill: 100% of Hong Kong export shipments processed on eAWB. Global eAWB penetration across the network stands at approximately 95%
• IATA ONE Record: First airline worldwide to provide real-time customs clearance status via IATA ONE Record protocol, integrated with customs systems in the EU, US, Canada, and UAE
• Duties and taxes: Normally the financial responsibility of the consignee at the destination, unless Delivered Duty Paid terms are agreed between shipper and consignee
• Dangerous goods: Handled under the Cathay Dangerous Goods product in compliance with IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. The carrier holds IATA CEIV Lithium Batteries accreditation both at the airline level and at ground handling level

Understanding tracking statuses

When tracking a Cathay Cargo shipment online, each status corresponds to a physical milestone in the shipment's journey. Cathay Cargo uses the Air Waybill as the primary tracking identifier, with all shipment numbers following the format 160-XXXXXXXX, using the carrier's IATA prefix of 160 followed by an 8-digit unique number. The standard tracking tool allows simultaneous tracking of up to 5 Air Waybill numbers at once and records approximately 20 distinct milestone events across the full shipment lifecycle. The table below covers the main tracking statuses as well as the Pre-Load Advanced Cargo Information clearance statuses that appear for shipments subject to customs pre-screening requirements.