Cathay Pacific is now considering ordering the Airbus A350 freighter instead of the Boeing 777-8 freighter, according to Reuters.
Quoting industry sources, the newswire said the Hong Kong-headquartered airline had switched from favouring the 777-8F to the new Airbus freighter.
The sources said the airline was considering an initial order for six of the aircraft which are worth around $2bn at list prices.
Some of the airline's current fleet of freighters are reaching the point of replacement.
According to its interim report, the airline currently operates a fleet 20 freighters - six 747-400ERFs and 14 747-8Fs.
Its 747-400s are all owned and have an average age of 14.5 years, while its 747-8Fs have an average age of 10.4 years.
However, the first A350Fs are not due to be delivered until 2026 when the oldest of these freighters will have reached around 18 years of age.
And 39 orders have also already been placed which would add to the waiting times for the freighters.
The speed of orders for the A350F has slowed down this year, with just four placed from an undisclosed customer.
The airline has so far been tight-lipped on its plans for freighter orders in the future, telling Air Cargo News earlier this year there were no specific updates or announcements to make regarding the fleet.
In August, the airline said it was continuing to study various options.
However, late last year chief customer and commercial officer Ronald Lam said that the airline is in active discussion with OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) regarding potential new orders.
The plans concern acquisitions post-2025, but Lam did not say how many aircraft were being discussed.
In October, Airbus announced the arrival of the first components from its manufacturing plants in Stade, Bremen, and Varel.
Airbus Aerostructures and Premium Aerotec (PAI) teams have met for the so-called “first metal cuts”, said Airbus.
Airbus has also hiked the payload capability of the A350 freighter, bringing it up to 111 tonnes from the initial level of 109 tonnes.
Senior vice-president for widebody programmes Florent Massou disclosed the higher figure during a briefing on June 14.
https://www.aircargonews.net/airlines/freighter-operator/cathay-pacific-to-buy-777-8-freighters/
