new route for Cathay Pacific Cargo
 

Munich is being considered as a possible addition to their network as a pure freighter service.

Received the following compliments of ATW this morning:

Cathay Pacific to add 13 aircraft to cargo fleet
Dateline: Friday January 09, 2004

In a major expansion of its freighter capacity, Cathay Pacific Airways will add up to 13 aircraft to its cargo fleet.

The airline placed an order for one new 747-400F scheduled for delivery in Feb. 2005 and will convert at least six, and as many as 12, 747-400 passenger aircraft into freighters. At the same time it plans to launch new freighter services from Hong Kong to Beijing, Munich and points in North America pending government approval.
Cathay will be the launch customer for the new converted 747-400 Special Freighter. The first aircraft is expected to be completed in Dec. 2005 with five others finished by 2007. Boeing is working with Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering Co. Ltd. on the prototype modification. The airline may convert a number of its own 747-400 passenger aircraft along with others to be purchased secondhand.

The carrier currently also is evaluating options to expand its long-haul passenger fleet. It is considering both purchasing 12 747-400s from British Airways and a new order for 777-300ERs. It is rumored to be considering disposing of its three newly delivered A340-600s, with South African Airways a candidate.

The 747-400SF will be modified with a strengthened main deck and side cargo door identical to those on the 747-400F production freighter. The 747-400SF will have an estimated capacity of 113,490 kg. and a range of 7,600 km. It will be used on trunk cargo routes within Asia and to North America and Europe.

The new factory-produced 747-400F will be powered by Rolls-Royce RB211-524H-T engines. It also will be used to operate to Europe and North America as well as on some regional routes. Cathay currently operates five 747-400Fs and six 747-200Fs and is the world's sixth-largest air cargo carrier in terms of tonnage.--Geoffrey Thomas

Looking good for the lads:ok:Cathay Pacific to add 13 aircraft to cargo fleet [B]

Arn't you guys getting confused with Dragonair? Or is Cathy going to MUC as well??

Dragonair have got their 4th aircraft & will be operating MUC-DXB-HKG late spring/ early summer.

are you sure those 400s are to be added (or are they just replacing the existing 200s) ??

Inop,

As reported on Rumours & News thread, CX have issued an RFP for supply of up to 12 used B744s. They have also contracted with Boeing/TAECO to convert up to 12 to freighters but, until they know what used aircraft are available, they won't know whether they will convert some or all of their existing older B744s or some or all of those to be acquired. Preference is for RR-powered but if they can't secure all 12 with RRs they may switch to GE-powered if they can find them. I believe that PW power would be a last resort.

No Kegbuster, Dragonair got themselves confused with Cathay. I understand Cathay got the Munich slots and now Dragon looking at Frankfurt. 4th 747F may be some time as the FMSs were not ordered early enough.
Who is Cathy anyway, not sure I've met her?

Looks like Cathy are going for Dragonairs market.They are also bidding for rights to fly direct to manchester.The old 300s
will be no match for the 400 but could still have a market on the
shorter routes.

Manchester already gets Cathay and Dragonair freight flights,
the only change I believe is to miss Amsterdam out as they will get their own dedicated flight. For information both airlines are owned by the same company and both airlines are getting very good loads ( around the 100 tons I`m told)

Golf India Bravo

I don't think either is going for each others market - well not in the freight business anyway. Both companys are expanding - the market can support a lot of growth as there doesn't seem to be any shortage of freight to fly from Asia. Direct freight flights from Asia to Europe don't make sense. You would have to carry so much fuel that the load would be too low. Tech stops in India or the Middle East will be the order of the day whether a Classic or a 744.

Cathay and Dragon aren't owned by the same company. Cathay is a publicly listed company with various shareholders. Dragon have various shareholders (including Cathay) but are largely owned by the Chinese government.

Does this mean some recruitment is likely?? If so, then anyone know the score, pay, min. experience, type rating etc.?