Cathay Pacific to place order for 10 A350-100s, converts 16 existing orders from -900
Cathay Pacific Airways announced (10-Jul-2012) it intends to add the A350-1000 to its future A350 XWB fleet, with an agreement to place a new order for 10 aircraft. In addition, the Hong Kong-based airline will convert 16 of its existing orders for the A350-900 to the larger A350-1000. The acquisition of the A350-1000, which is subject to the approval of the board of the airline (the board will meet on 08-Aug-2012), will bring the total number of A350 XWB aircraft ordered by Cathay Pacific to 48. Following this latest order, the airline will have 22 A350-900s and 26 A350-1000s on order. The airline also has separate lease agreements to acquire two more aircraft. The A350-1000 will be operated by Cathay Pacific on higher density routes, including its longest non-stop services to Europe and North America. The aircraft will be powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, with the agreement with Rolls-Royce to also include long-term TotalCare service support, subject to board approval. Cathay Pacific currently operates a fleet of 135 widebody aircraft. [more - original PR - Airbus] [more - original PR - Cathay Pacific] [more - original PR - Rolls Royce] [more - original PR - Cathay Pacific Regulatory announcement]