Hong Kong's Cathay to add about 10 jets a year to fleet over next 5 yrs - report
Hong Kong (XFN-ASIA) - Cathay Pacific Airways denied claims
by rival Hong Kong Airlines that the former failed to invest enough in new planes,
with a Cathay official saying that the carrier will add an average of 10 wide-body
aircraft annually over the next five years, the South China Morning Post reported.
Hong Kong Airlines chairman Ren Weidong had said that Cathay Pacific and its unit Dragonair did not order sufficient aircraft or cover enough destinations in the region to maintain Hong Kong's role as an air hub.
But Cathay's newly appointed chief executive Tony Tyler said "it is ludicrous to suggest that we haven't invested enough in aircraft," the paper said.
He said that Cathay is committed to bolstering its fleet.
Cathay Pacific has ordered 45 wide-body aircraft, including Boeing 777-300ERs and Boeing 747-400ERFS, for scheduled deliveries by 2011, with the airline planning to increase frequency to North American destinations, the report said.