HONG KONG, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong-based Cathay Group on Wednesday reported an attributable profit of 6.243 billion HK dollars (about 795.93 million U.S. dollars) for the first half of 2026, up 71 percent year on year.

A signage for Cathay Pacific Airways at the departures hall of Hong Kong International Airport in Hong Kong, China, on March 8, 2023. (File photo: AP)

Hong Kong's flagship airline Cathay Pacific carried a total of 16 million passenger trips in the first half of 2026, averaging around 88,400 per day, which was 17.5 percent more than in the same period in 2025.

Passenger revenue increased by 26.3 percent to 43.203 billion HK dollars compared with the first half of 2025.

Hailing the group's strong financial performance in the first half of 2026, Cathay Group Chair Guy Bradley said that it has committed around 150 billion HK dollars in investments into its fleet, cabin and lounge products, and digital innovation.

Looking ahead to the next 10 years, the group targets to have 150 new aircraft join its fleet and a network serving 150 destinations, subject to favorable market conditions.  ■