Cathay Pacific buys from Boeing

Cathay Pacific Airways has ordered 10 Boeing 747-8 Freighters and seven 777-300 Extended Range aircraft in a deal valued at $5.2bn at list prices.

Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific, which already has 19 747 Freighters, have also committed to lease four additional aeroplanes through a third party.

The Freighter has a maximum structural payload capacity of 140 tonnes, and is able to accommodate four additional main-deck pallets and three more lower-hold pallets, which Boeing says offers 16 per cent more cargo volume than the 747-400F.

Tony Tyler, Cathay Pacific chief executive, said: ‘We are very excited about the 747-8 Freighter, which provides the highest payload of any commercial freighter. More importantly, this is a highly fuel-efficient aircraft that consumes 22 per cent less fuel per revenue payload tonne than a 747-200F and 12 per cent less than a 747-400F. Similarly, the 777-300ER is 22 percent more fuel-efficient than a 747-400 per payload tonne. The greater efficiency of both aircraft types is very important in these environmentally sensitive times and when fuel prices are at record highs.’