Cathay Pacific to Take Delivery of New Airbus A330-300

Cathay Pacific Airways will tomorrow take delivery of the first of six new wide-body passenger aircraft. The new Airbus A330-300 will bring to 21 the number of aircraft of this type in the Cathay Pacific fleet.

The airline has two more A330-300 aircraft on order and three Boeing B777-300s, all of which will arrive by early 2004. Orders for these aircraft were placed in April 2002.

All six aircraft will operate on regional routes. Five will be in a two-class, Business Class and Economy Class configuration. One A330-300 will be in a three-class configuration that includes a First Class cabin. This aircraft will operate on services to Australia and the Middle East.

This phase of Cathay Pacific's fleet expansion reflects the company's continued commitment to maintain the long-term growth of the airline and enhance Hong Kong's position as Asia's leading aviation hub.

Cathay Pacific Director Corporate Planning Augustus Tang said: "The Airbus and Boeing aircraft types being delivered have proven their ability to serve the company well, and we are pleased to take delivery of this A330-330 and five more aircraft in due course. Planning for new aircraft acquisition requires a long lead time, and decisions are made with an eye on the continued development of the company rather than satisfying immediate demands for capacity. Although we suffered a substantial shock during the SARS crisis our passenger business is gradually picking up, albeit with depressed yields. These aircraft will, as expected, play a vital role as we continue to develop our network and services."

CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS FACT SHEET

3 Airbus A330-300

Powered by: Rolls-Royce Trent 700

Two aircraft will be in a two-class, Business and Economy Class, configuration.

44 Business Class
267 Economy Class
311 Total

One aircraft will be in a three-class, First, Business and Economy Class, configuration. It will join four other three-class A330s that currently serve Australia and the Middle East.

8 First Class
32 Business Class
211 Economy Class
251 Total

3 Boeing 777-300

Powered by: Rolls-Royce Trent 800

All three aircraft will be in a two-class, Business and Economy Class, configuration.

59 Business Class
323 Economy Class
382 Total

Aircraft operated by Cathay Pacific: 81

7 Boeing 777-300
5 Boeing 777-200
19 Boeing 747-400
5 Boeing 747-400 freighters
6 Boeing 747-200 freighters
15 Airbus A340-300
21 Airbus A330-300
3 Airbus A340-600

Average age of passenger aircraft in service: seven years

Cathay Pacific Airways
Corporate Communication Department