Will Be Powered By GE90 Engines

Cathay Pacific Airways announced Thursday the airline has exercised purchase options for two additional Boeing 777-300ERs, bringing its total commitment to 18 aircraft.

As Aero-News reported last December, 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 delivered in January and September 2008, while the first Boeing 777-300ER aircraft is scheduled to enter service for the airline in September 2007.

The airliners will be powered by GE90-115B turbofans, which are certified to 115,000 pounds (512 kN) thrust. The engines can power Boeing's 777-300ER, 777-200LR, and the upcoming 777 freighter targeted for entry into service in 2008.

A total of nearly 850 GE90 engines have been ordered to date, including nearly 450 GE90-115B engines. Snecma of France, Avio SpA. of Italy, and IHI of Japan are revenue-sharing participants in the GE90 program.

Cathay Pacific was recently voted "Best Airline Based in Asia" and "Best Transpacific Airline" in OAG's awards, based on the transport information company's poll of business travelers. The airline, which will take delivery of its 100th aircraft this summer, will celebrate its 60th anniversary in September.

FMI: www.cathaypacific.com, www.boeing.com, www.geae.com