By Ambrose Li

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Cathay Cargo has extended its services to include sending overseas perishable food and produce flown into Hong Kong to Greater Bay Area (GBA) clients by land, with an analyst saying the first-of-its-kind operation will fend off competition amid worsening geopolitics.
The cargo arm of local flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways said it was the first airline to provide such services under a cross-border policy called the “Air-Land Fresh Lane” that expedited the transshipment of fruits as well as live and chilled seafood from overseas to China.
The service was possible due to various mainland Chinese and city authorities agreeing to streamline import procedures.
In August, Cathay Cargo chartered a fleet of temperature-controlled trucks that ferried fresh seafood and produce such as live lobsters from Melbourne and live geoducks from Los Angeles.
As part of the extended services, a truck fleet equipped with GPS tracking devices travels from Hong Kong airport to Greater Bay Area cities via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge under the same order to fly in the goods, or “air waybill”.
“The new Air-Land Fresh Lane is great news for shippers looking to send premium perishable products into the heart of the GBA,” said James Evans, Cathay Cargo’s general manager for cargo commercial.

Dr Andrew Yuen Chi-lok, executive director of the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Aviation Policy Research Centre, said on Tuesday that such a service was “absolutely” a way to stand out amid a tough geopolitical landscape.
“This initiative strengthens Hong Kong’s role as a reliable and efficient trade conduit to mainland China,” he said.
He added that it aligned with the city’s need to differentiate itself in a landscape where trade policies and supply chain resilience were increasingly critical.
Yuen said the initiative reflected Hong Kong’s strategic push to reinforce its position as a premier global logistics hub amid intense regional competition, with the move underscoring efforts to enhance efficiency and reduce barriers for high-value perishable goods.
“[This signals] a response to competitive pressures from other Asian hubs such as Singapore, Shanghai or Guangzhou, where similar streamlined processes are being explored,” he said.
“It’s less about direct airline competition and more about Hong Kong’s broader ambition to maintain its edge as a gateway to mainland China.”
Yuen said the airline’s extended services were about carving out a niche in terms of premium logistics, rather than solely defending market share, as the carrier and Hong Kong airport had secured the relevant certifications from the International Air Transport Association.