Cathay adds to 777 family

and

have signed an agreement for the purchase of two additional Boeing 777-300ER (

) jetliners, exercising existing purchase rights. The agreement brings the airline's total 777-300ER commitment to 18 airplanes over the past six months.

Cathay Pacific ordered 12 777-300ERs from Boeing in December 2005, as well as four additional airplanes from International Lease Finance Company.

Cathay Pacific plans to take delivery of the two new 777-300ERs in 2008. The airplanes are valued at approximately $500 million at list prices, and will be powered by General Electric GE 90-115B engines.

Cathay Pacific was part of the launch team for the Boeing 777-200 and 777-300 models. The airline currently operates 16 777-200s and -300s for regional operations and the airline has selected the 777 family as the standard of its ultra-long-haul luxury service for the future.