Cathay Pacific plans to shrink order of Boeing’s latest 777X aircraft
Cathay Pacific plans to shrink its order of Boeing’s newest marquee aircraft, the 777X, as the long-lasting effects of the Covid-19 pandemic trigger a rethink on the top-of-the-range commercial jets. The airline would “optimise” its order, two sources briefed on the matter said, slashing it from 21 planes – worth some HK$58b (US$7.4b) – to between 10 and 15. Since July last year, Cathay has said multiple times that it was in “advanced negotiations” with Boeing while already deferring aircraft deliveries from rival supplier Airbus. The move to reduce the current order would shave billions off the cost, but one source added the airline was considering other aircraft for its future needs. A Cathay spokeswoman said the Boeing order would be delayed, but declined to confirm the reduction in the number of planes. “As mentioned in our annual results press conference, Cathay Pacific is in advanced negotiations with Boeing to reschedule its 21-aircraft 777-9X order to 2025 and beyond,” she said. A Boeing spokesman said: “I cannot comment on customer conversations. But Cathay is a valued customer and we continue to work closely with them.”<br/>
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/news/hot-topics/2021-04-26/oneworld/cathay-pacific-plans-to-shrink-order-of-boeing2019s-latest-777x-aircraft
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Cathay Pacific plans to shrink order of Boeing’s latest 777X aircraft
Cathay Pacific plans to shrink its order of Boeing’s newest marquee aircraft, the 777X, as the long-lasting effects of the Covid-19 pandemic trigger a rethink on the top-of-the-range commercial jets. The airline would “optimise” its order, two sources briefed on the matter said, slashing it from 21 planes – worth some HK$58b (US$7.4b) – to between 10 and 15. Since July last year, Cathay has said multiple times that it was in “advanced negotiations” with Boeing while already deferring aircraft deliveries from rival supplier Airbus. The move to reduce the current order would shave billions off the cost, but one source added the airline was considering other aircraft for its future needs. A Cathay spokeswoman said the Boeing order would be delayed, but declined to confirm the reduction in the number of planes. “As mentioned in our annual results press conference, Cathay Pacific is in advanced negotiations with Boeing to reschedule its 21-aircraft 777-9X order to 2025 and beyond,” she said. A Boeing spokesman said: “I cannot comment on customer conversations. But Cathay is a valued customer and we continue to work closely with them.”<br/>
