Cathay Pacific places orders for two additional 777-300ER aircraft
Cathay Pacific Airways today placed orders for two additional advanced wide-body Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, increasing its commitment to a total of 18 since the airline announced its biggest ever order for new aircraft in December last year.
Previously, the airline made commitments for 16 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with purchase rights for 20 more. Two of these purchase rights have now been exercised. The additional two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will be acquired through direct purchases from The Boeing Company.
All the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will be powered by General Electric GE90-115B engines. The additional two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will be delivered in January and September 2008, while the first Boeing 777-300ER aircraft is scheduled to enter service in September 2007.
Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Philip Chen said: “These additional aircraft orders reflect our determination to expand and grow. More aircraft will allow us to widen our services network and connectivity, further strengthen Cathay Pacific as a home carrier and Hong Kong’s position as a global hub and gateway to the Chinese Mainland. We are wholly confident in the long-term future of the airline and Hong Kong, and committed to the continued profitable growth of Cathay Pacific.”
Cathay Pacific’s fleet currently totals 97 aircraft. Its long-haul fleet comprises 23 Boeing 747-400, 15 Airbus A340-300 and 3 Airbus A340-600 aircraft. The regional fleet comprises 16 Boeing 777-200/300 and 26 Airbus A330-300 aircraft. The airline also operates 14 Boeing 747 freighters.
In addition to the 18 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, the airline also has outstanding orders for two Boeing 747-400 aircraft, one Boeing 777-300 aircraft, six Airbus A330-300 aircraft and five 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighters. Cathay Pacific’s fleet will take delivery of its 100th aircraft this summer in the year of its 60th Anniversary.
