Cathay expands fleet

Cathay Pacific Airways has ordered 16 advanced wide-body Boeing 777- 300ER aircraft with purchase rights for 20 more. It also made commitments to acquire three Airbus A330-300s.

Cathay Pacific Airways

has placed its biggest ever order for new aircraft with commitments for 16 advanced wide-body

Boeing

777- 300ER aircraft valued at about $4.6 billion, plus options for 20 more. It also made commitments to acquire three

Airbus

A330-300s to operate regional routes.

The 777-300ER's will be acquired through a combination of 12 direct purchases from Boeing and four operating leases from International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC). The three new A330-300s will also be acquired via operating leases from ILFC.

The 777-300ER will be powered by General Electric GE90-115B engines and the Airbus A330-300 by the Rolls-Royce Trent 700. The 16 777-300ERs will be delivered between September 2007 and July 2010. All three Airbus A330-300s will be delivered in 2008.

Cathay Pacific's fleet currently totals 95 aircraft. Its long-haul fleet comprises 22 Boeing 747-400, 15 Airbus A340-300 and three Airbus A340-600. The regional fleet comprises 16 Boeing 777-200/300 and 26 Airbus A330-300 aircraft. The airline also operates 13 Boeing 747 freighters.