Cathay Pacific has been eyeing a wide-body aircraft order for quite some time now. The airline has now announced a firm order for 30 Airbus A330neo aircraft.
Cathay Pacific A330neo order
Cathay Pacific has announced a firm order for 30 Airbus A330neo aircraft, specifically the bigger -900 variant. These aircraft will help the airline phase out the older A330-300s. Airbus says that this order “follows a thorough evaluation by the airline under its mid-size widebody fleet renewal programme”.
Cathay Pacific says that these aircraft will be deployed on high capacity regional routes as well as long-haul routes. The A330-900neos are powered by the latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines.
As Cathay completes the final stretch of its rebuilding journey, we are turning the page to modernisation and growth, both in terms of scope and quality. We are delighted to announce this new order for state-of-the-art A330neo aircraft. This substantial investment reflects not only our immense confidence in Hong Kong’s leading international aviation hub status, but also represents our commitment to fostering our home city’s ongoing development.
The A330 is an aircraft type that has been serving Cathay Pacific well for nearly 30 years. These new aircraft will principally serve our regional destinations in Asia, while also providing the flexibility to serve longer-haul destinations as required. The improved fuel efficiency of these A330neos, together with their high standards of comfort, will enable us to further elevate the experience we provide for our customers while also contributing towards our goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Ronald Lam, Chief Executive Officer, Cathay Group said.
Stay up to date: Sign up for my newsletter to never miss latest Aviation and Travel news.
The A330-900 is capable of flying 7,200 nautical miles/13,330 kilometres non-stop. As with all Airbus aircraft, the A330neo is already able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), with the aim to increase this to 100% by 2030.
This latest order from Cathay, one of the world’s most experienced A330 operators, is a major endorsement of the latest generation A330neo. It is the natural successor for existing A330 fleets, bringing the highest levels of technical and operational commonality, and significant reductions in fuel consumption and carbon emissions. In addition, the award-winning Airspace cabin provides a whole new flight experience.
Christian Scherer, Chief Executive Officer, Airbus Commercial Aircraft said.
Cathay Pacific also operates A350-900s and A350-1000s for long-haul flights along with B777-300s/B777-300ERs. The airline also has 21 B777X on order.
Featured image by Airbus
What do you think of Cathay Pacific ordering A330-900neos? Let me know in the comments section below.
Follow IH Aviation and Travel on Social Media on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.