China News Service, Hong Kong, August 11 (Reporter Wang Jiacheng) Cathay Pacific Airways held a press conference on the 11th to announce its 2021 interim results.

As of June 30, 2021, the loss attributable to shareholders was 7.565 billion yuan (HK$, the same below), which was 23.3% narrower than the 9.865 billion loss in the same period last year.

　　According to the announcement, in the first half of this year, the company's total revenue was 15.854 billion yuan, down 42.7% year-on-year.

Travel restrictions and quarantine requirements related to the epidemic have had a serious impact on passenger revenue. Passenger revenue was 745 million yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 92.8%.

The cargo capacity is limited by crew quarantine requirements, and the reduction in passenger flights has reduced cargo capacity, which restricts cargo performance. Revenue was 11.112 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 0.6%.

　　Cathay Pacific Chairman He Yili stated that the group will strive to manage costs with a prudent attitude and continue to implement the cash retention measures introduced in 2020.

Non-fuel costs decreased by 33.5% to 16.875 billion yuan.

In 2021, we will implement salary reductions for senior management and launch the third round of special vacation plans, which are supported by 80% of employees.

At the end of June, the available unrestricted-use liquidity balance was 32.8 billion yuan.

　　He pointed out that before the gradual opening of borders and relaxation of travel restrictions in various places, the new crown epidemic will continue to have a serious impact on the group's business.

Local governments, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, have stated that the vaccination rate must reach a sufficiently high level before it is possible to open borders and relax restrictions.

　　He Yili hopes that as the vaccination rate continues to increase, governments of various countries can relax restrictions on quarantine and tourist entry.

At present, Cathay Pacific has made appointments and vaccinated Hong Kong employees accounting for 88%. It is believed that the higher the vaccination rate, the greater the hope of returning to normal levels.

The goal is that the passenger capacity in the fourth quarter can return to 30% before the epidemic.

　　Cathay Pacific Customer and Commercial President Lin Shaobo said that passenger demand is expected to increase significantly in August and September, mainly because students from mainland China and Hong Kong need to return to the United Kingdom, the United States or other European regions to go to school. Cathay Pacific will also increase its capacity in response to demand.

　　Cathay Pacific CEO Deng Jianrong also called on citizens to be vaccinated, emphasizing that only with a high vaccination rate can citizens’ daily life and economic activities have a chance to return to normal and the aviation industry can recover.

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