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A computer-generated impression of how the A330 would look in Cathay's current green and red livery. Cathay Pacific's first A330 is due to be rolled out in the airline's new livery during the life of this issue. This first A330 will be displayed at Farnborough and undertake a route proving programme with Cathay out of Hong Kong, before being formally handed over in January. (Airbus)
Cathay Pacific Gears Up for Airbus Fleet
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Cathay Pacific Gears Up For Key Fleet Changes And New Airbus Deliveries
Over the next few years Cathay Pacific faces perhaps its biggest period of change yet in its 48 year history as 25 new aircraft are delivered, a new livery and corporate image are adopted, and Hong Kong is returned to Chinese rule from July 1997. Spearheading the changes in the near term is a massive fleet acquisition programme which will see Cathay become the first operator of both the Airbus A330 and A340, and the first to operate the A330, A340 and Boeing 777. Indeed the next few months with the introduction of the new Airbus will see a number of firsts for Cathay. These include the airline’s first Airbus aircraft, the first non Rolls-Royce engines (in the shape of CFM International CFM56s for the A340s) since retirement of the last Pratt & Whitney powered 707s in 1983, and its first use of the Trent turbofan (for the A330).
The order for A340s is the most significant of the new orders as it is not a direct replacement for a current type in the fleet. Rather the A340 will introduce to Cathay a new type which will greatly increase the airline’s flexibility to operate long and thin flights to Europe, but be also able to operate economically on regional Asian routes. The A340 order was only announced in February this year, and covers the interim lease from Airbus of four A340-200s, pending the delivery of six A340-300s. The first -200 is due to be delivered in October this year, with the last coming on strength next March. The first A340-300 meanwhile will be delivered in July 1996, with the last due in February 1997. The A340-200s will be progressively returned to Airbus as the -300s come on strength, with the last due to be returned by March 1997.
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