Cathay Group has ordered 30 Airbus A330-900 widebody aircraft as part of its initiative to refresh its mid-size widebody fleet. It also secured options for an additional 30 aircraft.
This decision aims to update its fleet and expand operations on high-capacity regional routes while retaining the flexibility to serve longer-range destinations.
The newly-ordered aircraft will replace Cathay’s older A340-300 models and will be equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines. These A330neo aircraft are expected to deliver improved fuel efficiency and reduced carbon emissions.
“These new aircraft will principally serve our regional destinations in Asia, while also providing the flexibility to serve longer-haul destinations as required,” Cathay Group CEO Ronald Lam commented. “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.”
The A330-900 has an operational range of 13,330 kilometers (8,300 miles). According to Airbus, it is designed to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and aims to achieve 100% SAF usage by 2030.
Cathay Pacific initially discussed the potential acquisition of new mid-sized widebody aircraft in late 2022. The airline currently operates 43 A330-300s, with an average age of 16.
Cathay Pacific reports strong demand, drop in profit
Shortly before the order was announced, Cathay Group reported robust performance for the first half of 2024, driven by strong travel demand and solid cargo operations.
The airline’s passenger flights reached 80% of pre-pandemic levels in the second quarter, aligning with its growth plans.
“Our strong performance for the first six months of the year was primarily driven by the ongoing robust demand for travel, and the solid performance of our cargo business,” Patrick Healy, Chair of Cathay Pacific Airways, commented.
Cathay Group posted a profit of approximately US$492 million, down from US$609 million. It attributed the drop to the normalization of ticket prices.