The Cathay Group has become the latest carrier to order the all-new A350F, signing a purchase agreement for six aircraft which will join Cathay Cargo. Cathay has also secured options for a further 20 A350Fs. The aircraft are expected to be delivered by the end of 2029.
Cathay commented in a stock exchange filing that it intends to finance the aircraft “wholly or in part” by sale-leaseback arrangements, finance leases, commercial bank loans and/or cash.
Cathay Group CEO Ronald Lam said the investment in the new freighter “reflects Cathay’s confidence in the Hong Kong hub as [they] look ahead to the opportunities provided by the three-runway system”, noting the “important additional cargo capacity” offered by the 111-tonne payload freighter.
The A350F also offers a high level of commonality with the A350 passenger aircraft, allowing it to “fit seamlessly with Cathay’s existing A350 passenger fleet, while lowering operating costs to a level never before seen in increasingly competitive cargo markets,” added Lam.
Featuring the largest main deck cargo door in the industry and a lighter take-off weight than the competing derivative, the A350F is also the only freighter aircraft that will fully meet ICAO’s enhanced CO2 emissions standards set to come into effect in 2027.
Cathay intends to use the cargo aircraft on long-haul routes in North and South America and Europe.