Hong Kong’s Cathay Group has placed a firm order for 14 more Airbus aircraft, made up of 11 A330-900s and three A321neos, Airbus said on Wednesday.

The 11 A330-900s add to the group’s 2024 order for 30 of the type, bringing its total firm commitment to 41, according to Airbus. The three A321neos add to its 2023 order for 32 A321neo and A320neo aircraft. The release gave no price, delivery dates or list of which Cathay airline will operate the aircraft.

Airbus said the aircraft will support Cathay’s regional and longer-haul flying and its sustainability goals. Alex McGowan, Cathay’s Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer, said the order lets the group “further expand and upgrade our fleet”.

He said it supports regional operations across Asia-Pacific and provides more flexibility for operating longer flights from the home hub in Hong Kong.

Benoit de Saint-Exupery, Airbus’s Executive Vice President for Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business, said the order endorses the value of the aircraft for an experienced operator of the A330ceo and A320 Family.

He said the A330-900 and A321neo together let the airline match capacity to demand while using less fuel and a streamlined Airbus fleet.

Airbus said the A330neo is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, can fly up to 8,100 nautical miles (15,000 kilometres) non-stop and reduces fuel burn, carbon dioxide emissions and operating cost by 25 percent compared with previous-generation competitor aircraft.

It said the A320 Family has won nearly 20,600 orders and offers at least 20 percent fuel savings compared with previous-generation single-aisle aircraft.

Source: PR