Hong Kong’s Cathay Group has placed a definitive order with Airbus for 30 A330-900 widebody aircraft. The procurement follows a detailed study of the airline’s mid-size widebody fleet replacement program.
The newly ordered aircraft will allow Cathay to modernize its older generation A330-300 fleet and extend its operations on high-capacity regional routes. The aircraft will also be adaptable to service longer-distance destinations. Like all other A330neo aircraft, the fleet will be powered by the latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines.
Cathay Group CEO Ronald Lam stated that Cathay is completing the final leg of its restoration journey. For nearly 30 years, Cathay Pacific has relied heavily on the A330. These new aircraft will primarily serve regional Asian destinations, with the ability to serve longer-haul destinations if needed. The greater fuel efficiency of these A330neos, together with their high levels of comfort, will allow the airline to enhance the experience it delivers to its clients while also contributing to the objective of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
According to Christian Scherer, Airbus’ Chief Executive Officer for Commercial Aircraft, Cathay is one of the world’s most experienced A330 operators. The A330neo is the inevitable successor to existing A330 fleets, providing the greatest levels of technical and operational commonality while significantly reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions. In addition, the award-winning Airspace cabin offers an entirely new flight experience. The A330neo will become the backbone of Cathay’s regional widebody operations, with the ability to fly longer trips. The airline, along with its A320 Family and A350 fleets, will be able to fully benefit from the unique synergies of the newest generation Airbus product range.
The A330-900 can fly 7,200 nautical miles / 13,330 kilometers nonstop and has the award-winning Airspace cabin, which provides a superior flight experience. As with all Airbus aircraft, the A330neo can already run on up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), to increase this to 100% by 2030.
By the end of July, the A330 Family had received 1,805 firm orders from over 130 customers globally, and 1,469 aircraft were in operation on long, medium, and short-haul routes worldwide.
