Cathay Pacific plans jet orders as Hong Kong airport expands

Cathay Pacific Airways is in talks with Boeing and Airbus about expanding its fleet, seeking to bounce back from the Covid pandemic as the opening of Hong Kong airport’s third runway swells capacity. The airline is exploring possibilities for adding both passenger aircraft and freighters, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Ronald Lam said in an interview in London on Thursday. Cathay would be seeking deliveries from 2025, when the new landing strip comes into full service. While the company is keeping its options open, Lam said it would like to have consistency and synergy with its existing fleet, comprising Airbus A321neo jets for short-haul flights and A330s, A350s and Boeing Co. 777s used on longer routes and some regional services. Low-cost unit Hong Kong Express Airways Ltd. has an all-A320 family lineup. After 2 1/2 bruising years during which the coronavirus crisis severely restricted operations, Cathay Pacific has grounds for optimism now that Hong Kong has finally dropped mandatory quarantine rules. While some virus restrictions remain, the carrier is positioning for a resurgence in travel. “We have had some short term setbacks because of the pandemic, but I think we will come back strong,” Lam said. “In particular, we play a very key role connecting between Hong Kong and Europe and that role will not change and will only get stronger.” Cathay is currently operating about 16% of pre-pandemic seating, set to rise to about one-third by the end of the year, Lam said. It plans to return to normal levels by the end of 2024 or early 2025, though HK Express will recover earlier. Freight capacity should reach two-thirds of 2019 tonnage this year.<br/>