Cathay Cargo to restart Middle East freighter operations in August
- Jul 2
- 2 min read
Cathay Cargo will resume its freighter operations to the Middle East from 1 August, marking the airline's first dedicated cargo services to the region since flights were suspended earlier this year due to the conflict involving Iran. The decision reflects improving security conditions and the gradual reopening of regional airspace, although the carrier says it will continue to closely monitor developments before restoring its full network.
The Hong Kong-based airline confirmed that freighter services to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will restart on 1 August. Passenger operations will follow a month later, with daily flights to Dubai and four weekly services to Riyadh scheduled to resume from 1 September. Tickets for the passenger services are already on sale.
Operations gradually returning to normal
Cathay suspended both passenger and cargo flights to the Middle East in late February after heightened security concerns disrupted aviation across the region. Since then, several international airlines have progressively restored services as airspace restrictions eased and the regional security outlook improved, although some operators continue to maintain limited schedules.
The resumption of Cathay Cargo's freighter network is expected to improve capacity for shipments between Hong Kong and the Middle East, supporting sectors such as e-commerce, pharmaceuticals and other time-sensitive cargo. The airline noted that it will continue to assess the situation ahead of the restart date and adjust operations if necessary.
Air cargo market continues to recover
The return of Cathay Cargo's Middle East freighter services comes as global air cargo operators gradually rebuild networks affected by the regional conflict. Several airlines have resumed flights in recent weeks, helping restore capacity and improve supply chain reliability between Asia and the Gulf region. Industry observers expect additional carriers to follow if the security situation remains stable.
Image source: aircargonews.net
