Airlines Cathay Group orders 32 A320neo Family aircraft

Cathay Group has become the latest airline to commit to a firm purchase agreement with European manufacturer Airbus. After Air France-KLM signed for up to 90 A350 XWB Family aircraft last month, Cathay has now announced its plans to modernise and expand its medium-haul fleet.

The airline group, which is based in Hong Kong, has signed for 32 additional A320neo Family aircraft, and is doubling its total orders for the aircraft family with this order. 13 of the 64 aircraft in total have been already delivered.

This order of 32 new aircraft will compromise both the A320neo and the larger A321neo. The aircraft will join the group’s airlines Cathay Pacific and HK Express, which is a low-cost subsidiary. Principally, they will use the aircraft to operate to destinations in the Chinese Mainland and other Asian destinations.

Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International, Christian Scherer commented:: “Cathay is one of the world’s leading airline Groups and we are proud to be part of its recovery and growth plan […] Operating out of the Cathay Group’s base at the heart of Asia, the A320neo family will enable it to expand its services across the region with a most efficient single aisle fleet and a positive passenger comfort differentiation. With a significant reduction in fuel consumption, the aircraft will also bring an immediate contribution to the Cathay Group’s sustainability goals.”

Cathay Pacific was founded in September 1946 and has its main operational hub located at Chek Lap Kok airport in Hong Kong. The group’s subsidiary airlines include Air Hong Kong, Cathay Dragon, Dragonair and Hong Kong Express, of which Cathay Dragon and Dragonair have since ceased operations.

In total, the group’s fleet comprises 225 aircraft. Air Hongkong flies with A300 and A330 cargo freighters, Hong Kong Express is also an all-Airbus operator as it flies with 16 A320s and 13 A321s. Cathay Pacific also operates with A321s, A330s and A350 XWBs. However, the cargo division uses 747 Freighter aircraft and the mainline operates long-haul flights with 56 Boeing 777s.