[cwoodward]

In a very unusual move for the group who seldom lease aircraft Cathay have signed a deal with Avalon the Irish leaser for nine Airbus A320neo family aircraft for delivery in 2026 and 2027. The nine aircraft will be a mix of A321neos and A320neos.

The move indicates how determined the airline is to acquire new aircraft quickly and how long is the Airbus delivery queue.

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AndrewinHK

[christ]

@cwoodward – is this for expansion or to replace some of the elderly a330s?

[cwoodward]

Of the fleet of 33 in service 23 are under 12 y.o. -9 are between between 13 and 19 y.o.-these are the aircraft that are being refitted with the new business class.
Of the balance of of the 42 in the total fleet most are elderly, leased and parked and unlikely to see much future service with the airline – but some will I expect need to be replaced.

[christ]

Thanks – can you remind me as to whether the A330s being refitted are with the long haul business product (i.e. flat bed) or the A321 regional product?

[cwoodward]

The announcement was long haul being replaced by new long haul.
There are though about 4 older aircraft that were refitted in 2019 for only short haul heavy ECO routes and as they have been little used and are needed I would not expect that fit-out to be changed.

[Author]

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