Cathay Pacific's cargo hub at Hong Kong International Airport offers a snapshot of the global economy, with the airline moving over 1.7 million tonnes of freight annually through the world's busiest air-cargo hub, reported London's Monocle.

The sprawling 246,000 sq m facility handles everything from Chateau d'Arche wine and Golden Lily mangoes to cold-chain pharmaceuticals and oil-drilling equipment. Though air cargo makes up less than one per cent of global tonnage, it accounts for 35 per cent of total value.

Activity surged recently as the hub recovered from a two-day shutdown caused by Super Typhoon Ragasa. But geopolitical tensions, including renewed trade war threats from the Trump administration, are creating fresh challenges.

US-bound cargo from China has dropped by at least 25 per cent following the removal of de minimis exemptions on goods under US$800. Cathay Cargo director Tom Owen said supply chains are recalibrating, with more shipments now routed from India and Southeast Asia via Hong Kong.

Cathay Group CEO Ronald Lam noted that air cargo's short lead times make it well suited to respond to tariff-driven demand spikes. The company's ability to quickly adjust routes is a strategic advantage amid uncertainty.

During the pandemic, Cathay converted passenger aircraft into freighters to stay afloat. The current disruptions reinforce the need for flexible planning and rapid response in global logistics.