Cathay Pacific to Seek 50 More Large Planes From Airbus, Boeing

Cathay Pacific Airways plans to seek up to 50 more widebody aircraft to complete its fleet expansion strategy, according to people familiar with the matter. The Hong Kong carrier is expected to begin talks with Airbus and Boeing next year, and could also make additional decisions as soon as November on acquiring more single-aisle and widebody aircraft through existing options and purchase rights. Cathay said in a statement that it continually reviews its fleet needs and doesn’t comment on rumors. The airline is pursuing ambitious growth while dealing with industry delivery delays tied to supply-chain constraints. Cathay’s backlog stands at just over 100 aircraft valued at HK$150 billion ($19 billion), before standard discounts, including 35 Boeing 777-9s and 30 A330neos scheduled through 2034.