Key facts
- Cathay said the order covers 11 Airbus A330-900 widebody jets and three A321neo narrowbody jets.
- The A330-900 order adds to 30 placed in 2024, taking total A330neo orders to 41, per CNA.
- Cathay said the three A321neo jets will support HK Express routes to the Chinese Mainland and other short-haul destinations.
- Cathay said it negotiated a discounted price with Airbus, expected below a basic price of around $5.11 billion, per CNA.
- CEO Ronald Lam said the orders bring total aircraft deliveries from 2026 to 120, toward a plan of 150.
Hong Kong's Cathay Group said on November 11, 2026 that it had ordered 14 additional Airbus aircraft to expand its regional services, taking its total investment commitments to more than HK$150 billion (US$19 billion) for the decade to 2035.
The group said the orders would support growth at its flagship carrier Cathay Pacific and its budget airline HK Express, bringing planned aircraft deliveries from 2026 to 120. CEO Ronald Lam said the orders bring the group closer to its plan of 150 new aircraft deliveries.
CNA reported that Cathay exercised purchase rights for 11 more Airbus A330-900 widebody aircraft, on top of 30 ordered in 2024, bringing total orders for the A330neo variants to 41. Those jets will gradually replace Cathay's existing fleet in the category, primarily serving regional Asian routes while allowing for longer-haul operations later, the airline said. They are expected to be delivered between 2031 and 2035.
Cathay also exercised purchase rights for three additional A321neo jets, beyond the 32 A321neo and A320neo aircraft ordered in 2023, CNA reported. The three aircraft will help HK Express' routes and its focus on destinations in the Chinese Mainland and other short-haul routes, Cathay said.
After negotiations with Airbus S.A.S., Cathay will pay a discounted price for each aircraft, expected to be below the basic price of around $5.11 billion, according to CNA.