Cathay Pacific orders 11 Airbus jets in $5.1bn deal

Cathay Pacific said on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, that it had ordered 11 Airbus A330-900 aircraft in a deal valued at US$5.1 billion, adding capacity as the Hong Kong airline expands its regional network.

The airline said the aircraft would add passenger and cargo capacity. A filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange put the value of the deal at US$5.1 billion, and Cathay Pacific said Airbus had granted significant price concessions.

Cathay Pacific also said it was ordering three additional Airbus A321neo narrowbody aircraft for HK Express, its budget airline. The company said those aircraft would support HK Express routes to mainland China and other short-haul destinations.

The 11 A330-900 aircraft are expected to be delivered between 2031 and 2035. Cathay Pacific said they would progressively replace its existing mid-size widebody aircraft, primarily serve regional destinations in Asia and could later be used on longer-haul routes.

Cathay Pacific CEO Ronald Lam said the 14 aircraft would help upgrade the airline's fleet and improve connectivity through Hong Kong.

The carrier said this year that it aims to add 150 aircraft over the next 10 years if market conditions are favourable, replacing current jets and bringing its fleet to around 300 aircraft. It reported a 71 percent rise in net profit in the first half of 2026, as more travellers transited through Hong Kong during the Middle East situation in the second quarter.