It seems after mooting the move, the Cathay Group (as it likes to be known now), has formally placed an order for 32 Airbus A320neo family aircraft.
These are a follow-on order, as the airline continues to invest in expanding and modernising its fleet. The agreement doubles the Cathay Group’s total orders for the A320neo Family to 64, of which 13 have already been delivered.
The 32 additional aircraft will comprise both the A321neo and A320neo which will join the fleets of Cathay Pacific and HK Express. Exact splits have not been disclosed.
They will principally serve destinations in the Chinese Mainland and elsewhere in Asia.
In Quotes
Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International, Christian Scherer said:
“Cathay is one of the world’s leading airline Groups and we are proud to be part of its recovery and growth plan.”
“Operating out of the Cathay Group’s base at the heart of Asia, the A320neo family will enable it to expand its services across the region with a most efficient single aisle fleet and a positive passenger comfort differentiation. With a significant reduction in fuel consumption, the aircraft will also bring an immediate contribution to the Cathay Group’s sustainability goals.”
Signing on the dotted line
With Cathay Pacific absorbing HK Express, as well as fully integrating Cathay Dragon/Dragonair into its mainline fleet, renewal and expansion come into focus, fast.
Currently, HK Express has 11 A320, 10 A320neo and 6 A321 aircraft in its single-alsie fleet. Meanwhile, Cathay Pacific itself has 12 A321neo aircraft assigned to it.
32 aircraft will be easy to distribute among the two airlines as they seek to improve connections in the region and as Hong Kong continues to grow after a stunted few years.
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