Cathay Pacific has bought 30 new wide-bodied A350-900 aircraft for £5 billion in what is the airline’s largest ever single purchase.
The planes are due to be delivered at the start of 2016 over a three-year period.
Chief executive Tony Tyler said the move was part of the carrier’s growth strategy and that the size of the planes fitted well with its business model.
He said: "The A350 fits perfectly into our operation. Its passenger capacity, flight range and operating economics are just right to become the backbone of our mid-sized long haul wide-bodied fleet."
The A350s, powered by Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines, will mainly serve long-haul destinations into Europe. They are designed to burn less fuel than similar-sized existing planes, thus lowering the carrier’s carbon footprint.
by Dinah Hatch
