With more coronavirus restrictions easing in Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific is increasing its cargo flights and focusing on air and sea cargo. In a glimmer of hope for the tourism industry yesterday, the Hong Kong government eased some testing requirements for incoming passengers, increasing belly capacity for air cargo. For example, the latest data from Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) in China showed that cargo throughput in April fell 2.8 per cent year-on-year to 375,000 tonnes. "The decline in cargo throughput was mainly due to insufficient cargo capacity, with imports and exports down 6 per cent year-on-year," said Hong Kong International Airport in China. Hong Kong Airlines, backed by HNA, has also been struggling. Earlier this month, the airline reportedly said China's coronavirus lockdown had weakened demand for air transport, leading the cash-strapped carrier to ask its pilots to take leave. According to Bloomberg, Hong Kong Airlines' one cargo flight to Sydney has been reduced from one a day to twice a week because "cargo is stuck in Shanghai." Still, Cathay's fortunes appear to be improving. Frosti Lau, General Manager of Freight Service Delivery, said today: "We are actively adding as many freight services as possible. "This month, the number of trans-Pacific cargo flights has increased from nine to 15 per week, with additional service to Europe. Additional capacity will be added to the passenger fleet as services begin to restart over the course of the year." However, Mr Liu noted that while freight capacity is increasing, the market recovery is "not without challenges". "The lockdown in Shanghai is starting to ease, but it's having an impact on both manufacturing output and supply chains," he explained. Once upon a time, Cathay Pacific was the only airline (other than mainland Chinese carriers) operating out of Pudong." Another challenge is restricting cross-border shipments between Hong Kong and the mainland. Mr Lau said Cathay had carried out intermodal trials to transport cargo by barge from Dongguan to the intermodal freighter terminal at Hong Kong International Airport, which "helped keep some cargo moving during the embargo". Indeed, Cathay Pacific described the trial as an air and sea cargo "rescue" for Hong Kong, adding: "With trucks focused on delivering essential goods to Hong Kong, there are fewer and fewer opportunities to deliver goods to the airport." As a result, some enterprising agents are moving goods onto containers. "The aim is for the export facility to be fully operational from September to comply with air cargo security regulations in Hong Kong, China. While the pilot program focuses on exports, the process of using the logistics park will be reversible and can also handle imports."