Cathay Pacific Airways, the world's biggest international air cargo carrier, expects stronger cargo traffic in the second half of the year, with growth of 5 to 6 percent year-on-year.
Chief executive John Slosar said on Monday cargo business was strong throughout the year in 2010 and this year would likely to be normal, which meant second half would be stronger than the first half.
"Normally cargo is busy in the second half because of the Christmas rush and all that," Slosar told reporters on the sidelines of the International Air Transport Association meeting in Singapore.
Cathay's cargo throughput fell 8.4 percent in April on weaker demand from major manufacturing areas of China and down 0.3 percent in the first four months.
Cathay is not in talks with anyone for a possible joint venture or merger as it was busy with its own expansion, Slosar said.
It has 87 aircraft on order but would be looking to bigger planes, including Airbus's superjumbo A380 in the next year or two, he added.
Slosar also said the airline is having a look at the Airbus A320neo, the re-engined version of Airbus's single-aisle family.
"We try to keep our fleet very young and efficient," he said. The fuel cost difference between a young fleet or an old fleet was 22 percent, he added.
Rising oil price has always been a concern for airlines because it is the single biggest and most volatile cost for carriers, Slosar said, adding Cathay hedges about 30 percent of its fuel to help smoothen the impact.
Cathay will talk to Boeing on the delivery of B747-8 freighters scheduled to be delivered from August, to meet the stronger demand in the second half, he added.
It ordered ten B747-8Fs from Boeing with six scheduled for delivery this year from August after being delayed from January. The remaining four will be delivered in 2012.