Cathay Pacific flags first-half profit surge despite Mideast turmoil

TransportationHong Kong carrier rises above mainland peers expecting to book up to $1.3bn in lossesA Cathay Pacific jet takes off at Hong Kong International Airport: The local flag carrier's earnings rose sharply in the first half of this year. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)KENJI KAWASEJuly 22, 2026 16:59 JSTTOKYO -- Cathay Pacific Airways said on Wednesday that its profit for the first six months of the year likely surged by over 60%, shrugging off volatile oil prices and reaping benefits from redirected travel due to the ongoing war in the Middle East.