Orders Five More -300ERs
Boeing and Cathay Pacific Airways announced Tuesday the Hong
Kong-based carrier has ordered five additional Boeing 777-300ER
(Extended Range) jetliners, increasing the airline's commitment to
a total of 23 of the twin-engine widebodies.
As ANN reported, Cathay
Pacific announced in 2005 the airline was purchasing 12 777-300ERs
from Boeing, with four additional operating leases through
International Lease Finance Corp. The first of those airplanes will
be delivered in September. Last year the airline exercised
additional rights to order two more 777-300ERs.
The five new airplanes have an estimated value of $1.4 billion
at Boeing list prices. All of Cathay Pacific's 777-300ERs will be
powered by General Electric GE90-115BL engines.
Cathay Pacific's 777-300ER fleet will significantly increase the
airline's capacity and will be used primarily on long-haul and
ultra-long-haul routes to Europe and North America. The airplanes
will enable full payload, nonstop service connecting Hong Kong and
New York.
"This fleet expansion is in line with our plan to expand our
network and connectivity, in the process further strengthening
Cathay Pacific's position as Hong Kong's home carrier and cementing
the city's status as a leading international aviation hub," said
Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Tony Tyler. "These aircraft
represent a very substantial investment and underline our long-term
commitment to continued profitable growth of the airline and to
providing the best travel experience for our passengers."
Boeing says the 777-300ER reduces fuel consumption by more than
20 percent per seat compared to its closest competitor, therefore
reducing CO2 emissions by more than 20 percent.
"This additional commitment from a world-class operator is a
testament to the benefits the 777-300ER brings to the airline and
its passengers," said Rob Laird, vice president, Sales - Boeing
Commercial Airplanes. "Cathay Pacific is a long-time Boeing
customer and we are proud that the 777 family plays such an
important role in their fleet."
The airline currently operates 777-200s and -300s for regional
operations, and the airline has selected the 777 family as the
standard of its ultra-long-haul luxury service for the future.
Cathay Pacific currently operates 24 Boeing 747-400s and 17
Boeing 777-200/300s in passenger service, as well as six 747-400
Freighters, seven 747-200 Freighters and six 747-400BCFs (Boeing
Converted Freighters), with two more 747-400BCFs and six 747-400ER
Freighters on order.
Additionally, Dragonair, a Cathay Pacific subsidiary, operates
another six 747 Freighters - a 747-200F, three 747-300SFs and two
747-400BCFs, with three 747-400BCFs on order.