Cathay defers Airbus deliveries amid capacity cuts

Cathay Pacific is delaying the delivery of 4 Airbus A320neo family aircraft originally set to join its subsidiaries HK Express and Cathay Dragon next year as it struggles with weakening demand amid continued unrest in the territory. In an analyst briefing, the carrier states that one A320neo meant for HK Express – its newly-acquired low-cost arm – and 3 A321neos destined for Cathay Dragon will be deferred. Cathay will also accelerate the retirement of 1 Boeing 777-300ER, which was scheduled for next year. It is also bringing forward the retirement of 1 of 5 Cathay Dragon A320ceos. Taken together, this will leave Cathay and Cathay Dragon with 6 fewer aircraft for 2020. The move comes a day after the airline warned of "significant pressure" on its overall passenger yield and second-half earnings in its October traffic figures. <br/>