With air travel booming in Asia, Cathay Pacific Airways announced its biggest-ever direct purchase commitment for new aircraft, placing firm orders for ten Boeing 747-8 Freighters and a further seven Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft directly from the Boeing Company.

The airline has also taken up purchase rights for another 14 of the new freighter type.

The announcement for the new aircraft order, which is valued at approximately US$5.2 billion at list prices, comes as Cathay Pacific continues to expand its fleet and further develop its passenger and cargo services to further strengthen Hong Kong's position as a leading international aviation hub.

The airline currently operates 19 freighters and before today's announcement already had commitments for eight more: six Boeing 747-400ERF Extended Range Freighters and two 747-400BCF Boeing Converted Freighters. The addition of the 10 new Boeing 747-8F new-generation freighters will enhance the airline's cargo capacity and at the same time allow it to begin a phased withdrawal of its fleet of seven older, less fuel-efficient Boeing 747-200F "Classic" freighters by 2012.

Cathay Pacific now operates a fleet of 110 aircraft and has 48 aircraft in its order book, including 30 passenger aircraft and 18 freighters. Together with the 39 aircraft, including seven freighters, operated by its sister airline Dragonair and the eight freighters operated by its express cargo subsidiary airline Air Hong Kong, operated in partnership with DHL, the Cathay Pacific Group's combined fleet now totals 157 aircraft. By 2012, taking into account retired aircraft and the return of leased aircraft, Cathay Pacific will operate a total of 147 aircraft, while the Group's fleet will number 196 aircraft.

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