Article Posted on : - Mar 31, 2011

Cathay Pacific Airways. A file photo.

CHENNAI (PTI): Hong Kong-based airliner Cathay Pacific would add 27 aircrafts before the end of 2015 as part of modernising and expanding its fleet, the company said here Wednesday.

A Cathay Pacific statement said the airliner has entered into agreements with Airbus to buy 15 Airbus A330-300s aircrafts, the Boeing Company for purchase of 10 Boeing 777-300ERs aircrafts and with International Lease Finance Corporation to add Airbus A350s-900s.

"All these new aircrafts would be delivered before the end of 2015," it said.

The order would enable the airline to replace the older aircrafts from the fleet and at the same time continue with the expansion of its passenger network, it said.

With the new order, Cathay Pacific now has a total of 91 new aircrafts on order for delivery till 2019, valued at Hong Kong Dollar 185 billion, it said.

"We are very pleased to be able to underscore our commitment to our home city Hong Kong, through this latest aircraft order", Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Tony Tyler said.

"Our plan is to retire our 21 Boeing 747-400 and 11 Airbus A340-300 aircraft before the end of the decade, as we take delivery progressively of new generation aircraft that will provide greater fuel and operating cost efficiencies".

The new A330-300s would be delivered between 2013-2015 powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, the statement said.

In September 2010, Cathay Pacific made order for 30 Airbus A350-900s to be delivered from 2016 to 2019 and six Boeing 777-300ERs to be delivered between 2013-2014, it added.