Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways has finalised an expansion of its regional aircraft fleet as it experiences a return to strong growth after perhaps the worst downturn in its nearly 55-year history.
The latest expansion covers the addition of seven purchased and leased Airbus A330s and one Boeing 777. It is also adding another Boeing 747-400 freighter.
The orders come as the carrier is again experiencing a boom in business. Cathay was badly affected by the regional economic downturn that began in mid-1997 and in 1998 suffered its first full-year net loss in 35 years. Business has been on the up for a year. Cathay returned to profitability in 1999, however, and additional capacity is badly needed.
Cathay is separately assessing ultra-long-haul aircraft for use primarily on non-stop services to North American destinations. The four-engined Airbus A340-500 and A340-600 are being looked at alongside Boeing's recently launched twin-engined 777-200LR and 777-300ER.
Cathay says its expansion - which includes previous outstanding orders for three A330s, two 747-400Fs and one leased A340 - will increase its fleet by nearly 25% through September 2001, to 80 aircraft. As a result, an estimated 1,000 new cabin crew will be needed, as well as 220 more pilots and more than 200 extra ground staff.
Source: Airline Business
