Cathay Pacific Adds to Always Expanding Fleet

Hong Kong based Cathay Pacific Airlines recently announced in a press release that they have decided to purchase an additional eight Airbus aircraft. This purchase will allow for further expansion on flights from Hong Kong, from short regional flights to long distance international flights. The purchase agreement is for eight Airbus A330-300 aircraft. This is an addition to the fleet of 45 A330-300's that Cathay Pacific and sister airline Dragonair currently operate. The A330-300 is the largest model of the A330 family, a wide body, medium to long range aircraft.

Cathay Pacific CEO Tony Tyler had the following to say at a recent press conference, "This is another significant development for the Cathay Pacific Group as we continue expanding our regional and long-haul fleets to further strengthen Hong Kong's position as a leading international aviation hub. The A330 is the most efficient aircraft for our regional and medium-haul fleet and we are delighted that with this order our fleet will grow to more than 50 such aircraft. These new aircraft will be deployed by both Cathay Pacific and Dragonair as our regional and Mainland networks continue to grow."

Airbus CEO John Leahy was also present at the ceremony. He had the following to say; "To receive a repeat order from one of the world's most prestigious airlines is an endorsement of the popularity of the A330. Cathay Pacific's decision is a clear affirmation of the aircraft's benefits and its suitability for traffic growth across the dynamic Asia Pacific region."

About Cathay Pacific: Cathay Pacific Airlines has been in existence since just after World War II. Founded by an American and Australian air force pilot, the airline was designed to allow for safe transport in the newly found nation of Hong Kong. Cathay Pacific has a very strong tradition and is widely recognized as one of the finest airlines flying today. Today, the airline operates over 100 aircraft, and is a member of the OneWorld airline alliance. Today, the airline serves over 100 destinations worldwide. The airline runs a sole hub in Hong Kong, but operates many focus cities, such as Taiwan, Singapore and Bangkok.

About the Airbus A330-300: The Airbus A330-300 aircraft is the largest member of the A330 family of aircraft, and was designed to compete directly with Boeing's 777-200 wide body aircraft. The A330-300 can seat 295 passengers in a three class layout, with first, business and coach class seating, or 335 with two class, first and coach. The A330-300 can fly a route of over 5,500 nautical miles, allowing for easy oceanic crossings. The plane will cruise at nearly 550 miles per hour, or .82 times the speed of sound. The A330-300 can also carry over 45 tons of cargo, a valuable asset to an airline, as much money is made in the air cargo business.