Cathay Pacific Airways has expanded its future freighter fleet plans with the addition of two more Airbus A350F aircraft, increasing its total order commitment for the next-generation freighter to eight aircraft.
The additional order follows Cathay Cargo’s initial commitment for six A350Fs announced in 2023 and forms part of the group’s broader long-term fleet renewal and expansion strategy.
According to the company, the new aircraft will further strengthen cargo connectivity between Hong Kong, mainland China, and key international markets across Cathay Cargo’s global network. The investment is also intended to support Hong Kong International Airport’s position as one of the world’s leading air cargo hubs.
The Cathay Group is currently ranked among the five largest cargo airline groups globally in terms of cross-border air cargo capacity, based on available freight tonne kilometres, while Hong Kong International Airport has repeatedly been named the world’s busiest cargo airport in recent years.
“We are pleased to further strengthen our fleet with these additional A350F freighters that will provide greater connectivity at our home hub and more choices for our customers,” said Ronald Lam, Chief Executive Officer of the Cathay Group. “This strategic, future-ready investment reflects our confidence in our long-term growth prospects and supports Cathay Cargo’s goal of being the world’s best air cargo carrier.”
The Airbus A350F is designed as a more fuel-efficient and lower-emission freighter aircraft, supporting Cathay Group’s broader sustainability objectives while modernizing its cargo operations.
The eight new A350Fs will complement Cathay Cargo’s existing freighter fleet of 20 Boeing 747 aircraft, including 14 B747-8Fs and six B747-400ERFs. In addition to dedicated freighter operations, the airline also offers belly cargo capacity through its passenger network serving more than 100 destinations worldwide. The Cathay Group said it currently has more than 100 aircraft on order across narrowbody, regional widebody, long-haul, and freighter segments as part of its long-term investment programme focused on fleet growth, digital innovation, and customer experience enhancements.
