When Will Cathay Pacific Restore All European Flights by 2026?

ByUjjwal Sukhwani•January 17, 2026 at 01:27 AM•3 min read

AIRLINES

When Will Cathay Pacific Restore All European Flights by 2026?

Cathay Pacific will relaunch several European flight routes as passenger demand recovers, committing to restoring its pre-pandemic network by the end of 2026.

Key Points

1Cathay Pacific is targeting full restoration of its pre-pandemic network by the end of 2026.
2The airline relaunched key European routes to Munich, Brussels, and Rome in 2025, expanding its European network to 12 destinations.
3The expansion is driven by strong recovering passenger demand, particularly for long-haul and connecting traffic.
4New and resumed services are operated primarily by the fuel-efficient Airbus A350-900 aircraft.

Cathay Pacific is actively relaunching flights to Europe.

This expansion signals a strong recovery in recovering passenger demand. The airline aims to fully restore pre-pandemic network capacity. This ambitious goal is set for completion by the end of 2026, according to company reports.

European Network Expansion

The airline has significantly bolstered its European presence. Recent additions include new and resumed services across the continent. Cathay Pacific launched its first direct flight to Munich (MUC) in June 2025. This route operates four times weekly, complementing the existing Frankfurt service. The carrier also resumed direct service to Brussels (BRU) in August 2025.

Furthermore, the seasonal Hong Kong to Rome (FCO) service returned in June 2025. This route is Cathay Pacific’s second link to Italy, alongside Milan. These additions brought the total number of Cathay Pacific European destinations to 12.

The expanded network offers nearly 100 weekly round-trip flights.
This enhances Asia-Europe connectivity via the Hong Kong aviation hub.

Fleet and Capacity

These long-haul route expansion services utilize the modern Airbus A350-900 aircraft. This jet offers a premium experience with Business, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins. The capacity recovery for Europe had lagged behind other regions. However, these new routes show a strong commitment to closing that gap.

Rebuilding the Global Network

The Cathay Group, including its low-cost carrier HK Express, is focused on global aviation recovery. The group reached a milestone of serving 100 destinations in 2025. The goal of reaching 100% of pre-pandemic flights was met in early 2025.

Restoring the full network capacity by the Cathay Pacific 2026 goal is a multi-year effort. The focus now shifts from rapid growth to network optimization. This means increasing frequencies on existing trunk routes. It also involves converting seasonal operations to regular, year-round flights.

Industry Impact and Outlook

The return of full-service carriers like Cathay Pacific is vital for international air travel. It reinforces Hong Kong’s position as a major global transit point. Strong long-haul demand is driving the recovery. However, the airline must manage challenges like supply-chain issues. Maturing new routes also takes time, often up to 18 months.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global traffic continues to trend positively. Cathay Pacific’s strategy supports this trend. The airline is leveraging its dual-brand approach. This helps serve both Mainland Chinese and international markets. The continued investment in routes and fleet signals confidence in future growth. This is a crucial step for the Hong Kong International Airport and its stakeholders.

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