In order to facilitate fleet expansion and flight connectivity at its hub at Hong Kong International Airport, Cathay Group has announced plans to buy up to 32 Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft.
The new aircraft will mostly travel to locations in mainland China and other regions of Asia.
With their current A321neo fleet, Cathay Pacific and HK Express are content. However, they want to improve the customer experience by incorporating the newest technical advancements for quieter, more comfortable, and fuel-efficient flights.In its 2022 Global Market Forecast, Airbus predicted that between 2022 and 2041, airlines worldwide would need 31,620 new single-aisle aircraft, with 14,560 of those aircraft going to the Asia-Pacific area. 32 of the 14,560 narrowbody aircraft will remain in service, the Cathay Group confirmed today.
Additional aircraft for Cathay Pacific and HK Express
Up to 32 Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft may be purchased through options, according to the Cathay Group. The group said the aircraft will mostly be serving destinations in the Chinese Mainland and other parts of Asia. The aircraft will join the fleets of Cathay Pacific and HK Express.The absence of the longer-range A321LR and A321XLR is likely due to the two airlines’ decision to keep the next generation aircraft close to home, however orders are prone to alter over time. In fact, there is plenty of time to polish capabilities and decide which variant best suits the company as delivery of the aircraft approaches in 2029.
The company stated in the release that the commitment made today is an investment in its fleet’s ongoing modernization and development, and that it supports its goal of increasing flight connectivity at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) hub. The Group will now have delivered more than 70 new aircraft as a result of this additional commitment.Ronald Lam, the CEO of Cathay Group, stated that the company is committed to investing in both the long-term success of the organization and the development of the Three-Runway System, which is expected to significantly increase the international aviation hub in Hong Kong. He added these words:
We have been able to strengthen the expansion of our regional and Chinese Mainland networks for our customers thanks to these aircraft models, which have been serving Cathay Pacific and HK Express successfully.We are still committed to making ongoing investments in the customer experience as we work to realize our mission of becoming one of the greatest service companies in the world. These aircraft are equipped with the most recent technical advancements to give our passengers a journey that is quieter, cozier, and uses less fuel.The new A321neo that Cathay Group is flying is a success.
Thirteen of the 32 Airbus A321neos that Cathay Group ordered in 2017 have already been delivered, and the commitment made today brings the total number of single-aisle Airbus aircraft in the Group’s fleet to 32. Cathay Pacific has 12 A321neos in its fleet, with four more to be delivered, and HK Express has one A321neo with 15 more on order, according to ch-aviation.com.
Cathay Pacific’s narrowbody fleet also includes three A321-200s and four A320-200s in addition to the 12 A321neos. Its widebody passenger fleet consists of 39 777-300ERs, 17 Boeing 777-300s, 29 A350-900s, and 51 A330-300s. It is not surprising that Cathay boasts 20 freighters, including 14 747-8Fs and six 747-400ERFs, bringing its overall fleet count to 193 aircraft, given that it is based in one of the world’s largest commerce cities.
With 28 aircraft, including the 15 A321neos that will be delivered, HK Express is the Group’s low-cost carrier. Six A320-200s, ten A320neos, eleven A321-200s, and one A321neo make up the fleet as it is now. Its fleet, which travels to China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, is relatively youthful, with an average age of just 5.9 years.The Cathay Group is making decisions now that will be advantageous in the long run as production slots at Boeing and Airbus become increasingly congested. It will be easier to reach its net-zero and emission-reduction targets if it purchases more new-generation aircraft.
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SOURCE: http://simpleflying.com
