Boeing and Cathay Pacific announced the Hong Kong-based carrier is ordering 14 more Boeing 777-9 passenger jets, bringing its order book to 35 of the type.
With 14 aircraft ordered from Boeing, it marks the first time in 12 years the company has won an order from Cathay Pacific. In addition to the exercised options, the airline has secured seven purchase rights for further aircraft.
Cathay Pacific has grown its global network with the Boeing 777 family over the past 30 years. The addition of the latest model, the 777-9, will further reduce the airline’s operating costs as it modernises its fleet and expands passenger and cargo operations on long and ultra-long-haul routes, with the aircraft able to reduce fuel use and emissions on average by 20% and noise by 40% compared to the aircraft it replaces.
The 777-9 will offer a range of up to 7,295 nautical miles (13,510 km), allowing Cathay Pacific to connect passengers directly between Hong Kong and its global long-haul destinations.
In Quotes
Ronald Lam, Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer, said:
“We plan to expand and renew our fleet with the additional 777-9 aircraft, enabling us to continue our rich history of connecting the world with our Hong Kong hub,”
“Cathay Pacific aims to further strengthen our ongoing partnership with Boeing and leverage the world-class features of the new 777-9 as we strive to become the world’s best premium airline.”
Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing, added
“We are proud to support Cathay Pacific’s continued leadership as one of the world’s top airlines, and introduce the 777-9 as their future flagship airplane,”
“This latest order demonstrates the value of the 777-9 and further strengthens the airline’s tradition of delivering superb comfort, convenience and connectivity to passengers for years to come.”
There’s going to be a wait still
Whilst the Boeing 777X family is still under testing and certification, The Cathay Group appears to be confident that it will see its first aircraft in 2027 to Cathay Pacific. This comes a day after Boeing increased the size of its test fleet, with an additional aircraft joining the cadre.
With orders for more than 550 Boeing 777X aircraft in the books and customers being as patient as they can be, Boeing will be looking to conclude the certification campaign and get the first aircraft into operators’ hands.
We’ll have to see if Boeing can keep to the timelines promised.
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