Cathay posts record loss, sees no quick rebound in passenger demand

SYDNEY: Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd warned it did not expect a meaningful recovery in passenger demand for some time due to the coronavirus pandemic, after reporting a record HK$9.87 billion ($1.27 billion) first-half loss.

The figure was in line with the HK$9.9 billion forecast it had flagged last month and included HK$2.47 billion of impairment charges.

Cathay expects passenger capacity to operate at around 7% of normal in August and September, down from an earlier forecast of up to 10% as travel restrictions continue, Chief Executive Augustus Tang said in a memo to staff that was seen by Reuters.

Revenue nearly halved to HK$27.7 billion in the six months ended June 30 as it slashed passenger flying to a barebones schedule due to lower demand and border restrictions, though it added more cargo-only flights as freight yields rose 44.1%.

Cargo revenue topped passenger revenue and accounted for 46% of total sales, up from 21% a year earlier when the freight market was depressed.

"Nonetheless, cargo is no remedy for lost passengers — at most it's like a band-aid on a knife wound. Better than nothing but won't stop the bleeding," BOCOM International analyst Luya You said.

The airline, which received a $5 billion rescue package led by the Hong Kong government, has so far refrained from large-scale job cuts but has warned it is reviewing all aspects of its business model.

The management team will provide its recommendations to the board early in the fourth quarter, Tang's memo said.

Several employees have told Reuters on condition of anonymity that they are bracing for major job cuts.

Cathay has rearranged its aircraft order book with Airbus SE to delay deliveries, is in advanced talks with Boeing Co to do the same and has begun sending one-third of its fleet outside Hong Kong for storing in less humid conditions.

The airline's shares surged 9.3% on Wednesday ahead of the earnings announcement and rose as high as 13.5% in trading after a lunch break. Still, they are down 41% so far this year.

"It is laggard buying on some traditional economy stocks," Steven Leung, a sales director at UOB Kay Hian, said of the rise.