Cathay Pacific Signs LOI for 30 A350 XWBs

Cathay Pacific has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Airbus for the order of 30 A350 XWB aircraft.

The Hong Kong-based airline has selected the A350-900 variant of the aircraft, which is capable of flying over 8,000 nautical miles non-stop. This will enable Cathay Pacific to operate the aircraft across its route network, including its non-stop flights to Europe and North America.

The aircraft will be powered by two new generation Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.

"The A350-900 is a perfect fit for the development of our fleet. This is a mid-size long haul aircraft that is fuel efficient, and provides the kind of capacity, range and operating economics that we need to complement and enhance our existing fleet,” said Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Tony Tyler. “The delivery schedule fits our requirements very neatly. The 30 new aircraft will be deployed to replace older aircraft and grow our fleet to meet the challenges of the future.”

The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) Family is an all-new mid-size long range product line comprising three basic passenger versions seating between 270 and 350 passengers in typical three-class layouts. Scheduled for entry-into-service in 2013, the A350 Family currently has a total of 535 firm orders

Separately, Cathay Pacific intends, subject to the satisfactory outcome of negotiations with Boeing, to exercise existing purchase rights in respect of six General Electric-powered Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in addition to the 30 of this aircraft type the airline already has on firm order. Eighteen 777-300ERs have already been delivered and are in operation with the remaining 12 arriving by 2013.

Cathay Pacific will make the Boeing 777-300ER the backbone of its ultra-long-haul and long-haul fleet, chiefly serving destinations in North America and Europe with greatly improved operating economics compared to the older aircraft in its fleet.

The Hong Kong-based airline currently operates a fleet of 128 wide-body aircraft including 25 freighters.

See other recent news regarding: Airlines, Airports, Awards, Flights, Codeshare, Lounges, First Class, Business Class, MICE, GDS, Rewards, Miles, Hotels, Apartments, Promotions, Spas, Yoga, Retreat, New Hotels, Traffic, Visitor Arrivals, Cruises, Free Deals, Videos, Cathay Pacific, Airbus, A350, Hong Kong