Cathay Cargo has restarted its freighter service from Hong Kong to Bangkok after a 10-year hiatus.
The cargo arm of Cathay Pacific is now operating one flight a week from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok, Thailand.
As of 6 May, Cathay began operating the Wednesday service with a 747-400 freighter, to offer shippers and forwarders additional capacity alongside the belly capacity on Cathay Pacific’s existing passenger service on this route.
This additional capacity provides more shipping options for both general cargo and selected special shipments and makes it easier for customers to better manage peak-period demand.
The service also caters for cargo that may be constrained on passenger services, such as outsized or high-density shipments, or eligible dangerous goods.
In its 2015 interim report, Cathay Pacific said it stopped operating its weekly Bangkok freighter service in May of that year because intra-Asia cargo capacity – especially in passenger aircraft bellies – had grown, meaning Cathay could carry most shipments without needing a separate freighter on that route.
Ashish Kapur, Cathay regional head of cargo, Southeast Asia & Oceania, said: “The return of our scheduled freighter to Bangkok marks an important step in strengthening Thailand’s cargo connectivity with the world.
“As Bangkok grows as a high-potential market and an emerging high-tech manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia, this service supports Thai exporters and freight forwarders while expanding routing options through our Hong Kong hub to enable smoother onward connections.
“As demand for air freight continues to grow, we remain committed to working closely with local shippers and forwarders to deliver dependable capacity and efficient end-to-end solutions for a wide range of cargo, from high-value manufactured goods to temperature-sensitive perishables.”
Thailand remains an important market for Cathay Cargo within its Southeast Asia network. In 2025, Cathay Cargo carried more than 29,000 tonnes out of Thailand, reflecting steady year-on-year growth and demand across a broad mix of cargo, including general goods, time-sensitive shipments and special cargo.
Via Cathay’s Hong Kong hub, the service enhances routing choice and connectivity for Thai exporters, and onward access to key long-haul markets such as North America and the Chinese Mainland.
