CX places orders for eight new regional aircraft

[404 Titan]

Media release from CX's web sight.

Cathay Pacific has announced it has placed firm orders for eight more wide-body regional aircraft as part of its plan to grow the airline and further enhance Hong Kong as a leading international aviation hub. The order will expand the airline's operating fleet to 94 aircraft.

Orders have been placed for two Boeing 777-300 aircraft and six Airbus 330-300 aircraft, all of which will be deployed on the airline's short- and medium-haul regional services. Three of the Airbus aircraft will be leased through the International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC).

The aircraft will be delivered from 2005 to 2007. The Boeing aircraft will be in a two-class configuration and will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 800 engines. The Airbus aircraft will use Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines. Five of the Airbus aircraft will be in a two-class configuration, while the A330-300 due for delivery in August 2006 will have a three-class cabin.

In conjunction with the arrival of the new aircraft and Cathay Pacific's continued growth, the airline also aims to hire more operating crew and ground staff over the next three years. In line with its recent expansion of services, including the addition of a new daily non-stop service to New York from 1 July, the airline is currently in the process of recruiting 600 flight attendants and 70 ground staff to be based at Hong Kong International Airport.

Deputy Chairman & Chief Executive David Turnbull said: "The acquisition of eight more aircraft reflects our plan to grow the airline and demonstrates our continued commitment to Hong Kong. The aircraft will enable the airline to increase services and strengthen our network and at the same time help to further develop Hong Kong as a leading global aviation hub. Our expansion will also help us to provide more job openings for local people."

Mr Turnbull added that Cathay Pacific has plans to expand its long-haul fleet and will make an announcement to this effect in due course.

[Schrodingers Cat]

So THAT's where the money saved by not upgrading the Classic freighters avionics has gone...........I doubt whether the extra delays due to the Classic not being RNAV equipped will be put down to the Scarebus or 777 fleets tho'.......:suspect:

[VR-HFX]

The fleet will be 100 soon enough.

The reason for not doing the avionics on the Classics is probably due to the fact that they will be going over the next 2 years and replaced with SQ 400 conversions to be done at Xiamen. Think the ANA deal fell through as they were too expensive so, stiff bikkies, you get the Pratts not the GE's.

[FlexibleResponse]

And yet another rumour says that the Classic glass FM upgrades will go ahead and the in-service date for the type has been pushed out to 2009.

The announced acquisitions were widely tipped (but for some reason a 777 dropped and 8 a/c not 9 total) and the 14-15 747s are still on the way (from who knows where). The CX DFO said in his latest release that the Company's expansion plans would only be limited by its ability to train sufficient pilots to man the new equipment.

[Schrodingers Cat]

Perhaps a peek at the available hangar slots in Xiamen might disillusion you Flexible Response....the end draweth nigh mate....:{ :sad: :{

[shortly]

Yes the end is in sight for the beautiful old Classics. But, the mods are going ahead, sim first and down time already booked for it. Last guess at end of days 2009 if nothing more catastrophic occurs.

[404 Titan]

Schrodingers Cat

To quote the DFO just last Thursday the 8th:
The good news for lovers of the Classics is that it is very hard to expand the airline rapidly and replace the Classic Fleet at the same time. This means that the Classic Freighter is going to be with us for some time.
Have to agree with FlexibleResponse & shortly, 2009 is the more realistic date the classics will be retired.

[Schrodingers Cat]

That IS good news...but are you certain the upgrade is as it seems.......full FMS with the LTN92 upgraded to automatic radio update and GPS as per the original proposal and the fit that Kalitta, for example have just announced?

Or could it be that it's just the ADI that's going to be changed..............2009 seems a long way away for HVY and HIH, but here's hoping, after all where would all those ex airbus fleet manglers go without it....:p ;) :p