HONG KONG- Cathay Cargo (CX) has taken a significant stride toward realizing its vision of becoming the world’s most customer-centric air cargo service brand. The company announced its selection of the next-generation Airbus A350F freighter to address its future fleet needs.
Cathay has committed to an initial firm order of six aircraft from Airbus and has secured the option to acquire an additional 20 aircraft.
Cathay Orders Airbus A350F Freighters
The procurement of these state-of-the-art aircraft, scheduled for delivery starting in 2027, aims to reinforce Hong Kong’s position as the premier air cargo hub globally.
This move will enhance cargo connectivity between Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and other parts of the world.
Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam stated, “As we move into 2024, our rebuild journey is gaining momentum. This order marks another major component in our investment for the future. It reflects Cathay’s confidence in the Hong Kong hub as we look ahead to the opportunities provided by the Three-Runway System. These highly fuel-efficient, next-generation freighters will provide important additional cargo capacity, expand our global network, and contribute to our sustainability leadership goals.”
Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International, Christian Scherer, expressed, “There’s a new standard in the cargo space, and we are gratified that such a savvy global air-cargo operator as Cathay has joined the growing number of reference players in the air-freight industry selecting the A350F.”
Approx 80 Planes on Order
These freighters will establish connections between Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and distant destinations in North and South America and Europe. With this purchase agreement, the total count of new aircraft deliveries for the Cathay Group reaches 77.
Currently, Cathay Cargo operates a freighter fleet comprising 20 Boeing 747 freighters, which includes 14 B747-8Fs and six B747-400ERFs. Alongside freighter capacity, Cathay Cargo utilizes belly capacity through the Cathay Group’s extensive passenger network, offering cargo services to approximately 80 destinations globally.
Furthermore, the Cathay Group’s order book encompasses 21 Boeing 777-9 wide-body passenger aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2025 and a total of 49 Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft expected to be delivered by 2029.
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