Cathay Pacific nearing deal to buy dozens of widebody aircraft

Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. is close to announcing a plan to buy dozens of twin-aisle aircraft and is favoring European planemaker Airbus SE in the decision, according to people familiar with the matter. 

The Hong Kong-based carrier is leaning toward Airbus to provide the long-range aircraft, though rival Boeing Co. could still seal a last-minute deal for its 787 Dreamliners, said the people, asking not to be identified because the discussions are confidential.

A split order between the two planemakers is unlikely, the people said. Cathay already has 48 A350s in its fleet and operates 43 older generation A330s. Boeing last won an order from Cathay in 2013.

Representatives for Cathay, Airbus and Boeing declined to comment.

Cathay’s board has to sign off on any major plane purchase and directors are due to meet Wednesday to approve the airline’s first-half financial results before the numbers are released later that day.

Bloomberg News reported January that Cathay was seeking proposals from Airbus and Boeing for new aircraft to replace some of its older mid-sized widebody jets in what would be the Hong Kong carrier’s largest buying spree in a decade. 

Last year, Cathay ordered dozens of new aircraft — all from Airbus — as it prepares for an expansion at its home base of Hong Kong International Airport, which is in the process of constructing a third runway.

Including budget carrier HK Express, Cathay operates almost 220 mostly passenger aircraft. It has previously said it wants deliveries of the new mid-sized widebodies to start from 2028.