Cathay orders US$5 billion in Boeing long-haul 747s and 777-300ERs

CATHAY Pacific Airways announced yesterday its biggest ever direct-purchase commitment for new aircraft - an order for 10 Boeing 747-8 Freighters and seven Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft.

Addressing a press conference at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Cathay CEO Tony Tyler said: "This is a highly fuel-efficient aircraft that consumes 22 per cent less fuel per revenue payload tonne than a 747-200F and 12 per cent less that a 747-499F. Similarly, the 777-300ER is 22 per cent more fuel efficient than a 747-400 per payload tonne."

"I am very excited about the 747-8 Freighter. This is the big one, a mega purchase! The efficiency of both aircraft types is very important in these environmentally sensitive times and when fuel prices are at record highs," Mr. Tyler said.

The airline operates 19 freighters, and before yesterday's announcement already had commitments for eight more - six Boeing 747-400ERF (Extended Ranger Freighters)) and two 747-499 BCF (Boeing Converted Freighters) for delivery by 2009. The addition of the 10 new Boeing 747-8F new-generational freighters will enhance the airline's cargo capacity and at the same time allow it to begin a phased withdrawal of its fleet of seven older less fuel efficient Boeing 747-200F "Classic" freighters by 2012.

Mr Tyler told Hong Kong Air Freight magazine that the move would boost traffic its regional unit Dragonair, by providing it more overseas capacity on one hand while the subsidiary airline provided Cathay an efficient mainland China network in return.

He said the focus of the new long haul aircraft would be on North American routes. Despite talk of trouble with the US economy, Mr. Tyler said Cathay's American demand continued to be strong and the airline "could find no evidence of a downturn".