Cathay Pacific takes delivery of new B747 Freighter – the airline’s 88th operational aircraft
Cathay Pacific Airways tomorrow (Tuesday, 22 February) puts the 88th aircraft to join its operational fleet into service as the airline continues with aggressive expansion plans to strengthen Hong Kong as a global aviation hub.
The brand-new Boeing 747-400F freighter will initially fly between Hong Kong and Singapore before being switched to serve European cargo routes. Cathay Pacific took delivery of the aircraft – the 13th freighter to fly in Cathay Pacific colours – at a ceremony at the aircraft manufacturer’s Seattle factory on 17 February. It arrived in Hong Kong a day later for final checks before commencing service.
The freighter’s arrival marks the beginning of an aggressive expansion by Cathay Pacific in 2005. Another four passenger aircraft will join the fleet this year. The next scheduled delivery is a B777-300 from Boeing in April to be followed later on by the arrival of three Airbus A330-300s.
In total, the airline has two B777-300s and six Airbus A330-300s on order, all of which will arrive by 2007. It has also committed to acquire eight used Boeing 747-400s, which will be reconfigured for use as Cathay Pacific passenger and freighter aircraft.
Meanwhile, Cathay Pacific’s subsidiary all-cargo carrier Air Hong Kong is welcoming new aircraft. It received its fifth Airbus 300-600 General Freighter just before the Chinese New Year and a sixth will arrive on 12 March. Air Hong Kong has a further two on order for delivery in 2006.
Both the Cathay Pacific and Air Hong Kong aircraft additions will help boost Hong Kong’s position as a global passenger and cargo hub. Cathay Pacific will add more services in 2005 as it receives new aircraft. The airline recently began an all-cargo service to Shanghai on 28 February will launch a new thrice-weekly service to carry passengers and cargo to and from the Chinese Mainland city of Xiamen.
Cathay Pacific Director & General Manager Cargo Ron Mathison said: “We are pleased to receive the new freighter and get it into work straight away on some of our most important routes. The extra capacity provided by the new arrival will be a boon in helping us to provide a more comprehensive service to our customers in what is now a very competitive market.”
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| Cathay Pacific’s new B747-400 Freighter, B-HUQ, takes off from Boeing’s Seattle factory bound for delivery in Hong Kong. | Cathay Pacific’s 88th operational aircraft, a B747-400F, was flown to Hong Kong from Boeing’s Seattle plant by Chief Pilot B747-400 Captain Ian Rodwell, Senior Training Captain Tom McGeer, First Officer Doug Meyer and First Officer Greg Anderson. |
