Cathay Pacific has exercised purchase rights for 11 additional Airbus A330-900 aircraft, bringing its firm orders for the type to 41, according to a Hong Kong Stock Exchange filing published on November 11, 2026.
The rights date back to Cathay’s 2024 purchase agreement with Airbus, under which the airline ordered 30 A330-900s and secured the right to acquire 30 more. Cathay expects the eleven new aircraft to be delivered between 2031 and 2035. In 2024, it said the original 30 would arrive by the end of 2031.
Airbus announced the same day that the Cathay Group had placed a firm order for 14 aircraft in total, comprising the eleven A330-900s and three A321neos. The narrowbodies add to a 2023 order for 32 A321neo and A320neo aircraft and are not covered by the latest stock exchange filing.
A330neos to replace Cathay Pacific’s aging widebody fleet
The new A330-900s will progressively replace Cathay Pacific’s existing mid-size widebody aircraft, primarily serving regional routes in Asia, with the flexibility to operate longer-haul services in the future.
Cathay Pacific operates 43 A330-300s with an average age of 18.2 years, as per ch-aviation data.
Cathay Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer Alex McGowan said the additional aircraft would support the group’s regional operations across Asia-Pacific while “providing greater flexibility to operate longer flights.”
Airbus grants significant discounts on A330neo purchase
The filing values the eleven aircraft at a basic price of approximately $5.11 billion (HK39.9 billion). However, Cathay said Airbus had granted “significant price concessions,” bringing the actual purchase price below that figure.
The Hong Kong Stock Exchange granted Cathay a waiver allowing it to withhold the final agreed price.
Each aircraft will be paid for in eight cash installments, with seven due before delivery and the remaining balance payable upon handover. Cathay may finance the purchase through bank loans, finance leases, sale-and-leaseback arrangements, operating cash, or a combination of these sources. The transaction does not require shareholder approval.
Cathay expands its Airbus and Boeing order pipeline
The latest order adds to Cathay’s wider fleet renewal program. In August 2025, the airline exercised purchase rights for 14 additional Boeing 777-9s, bringing its firm commitment for the type to 35 aircraft. The group also exercised rights for two additional Airbus A350F freighters in May 2026.
As of June 30, 2026, Cathay Group had 105 aircraft on firm order and purchase rights for another 87, according to its interim report. Those figures predate the latest Airbus transaction.
The new commitment follows comments by Cathay Group CEO Ronald Lam at the International Air Transport Association annual general meeting in June 2026, when he signaled further orders for widebody, narrowbody and freighter aircraft.