Cathay Pacific Faces Uncertainty Over Boeing 777-9 Deliveries
Cathay Pacific Group is grappling with a lack of clarity over its B777X deliveries as the airline’s operations chief, Alex McGowan, expressed concern during a media briefing in Hong Kong on March 12, 2025. Speaking to reporters, McGowan acknowledged that the current uncertainty regarding the delivery timeline of the twenty-one B777-9s on order is problematic, noting that the company is maintaining close communication with Boeing to resolve the issue. He indicated that the first B777X delivery is now anticipated in 2027, a significant delay compared to the initial forecasts when the order was placed in late 2013, with expected deliveries scheduled between 2021 and 2024.
The delay stems primarily from Boeing’s ongoing efforts to secure US Federal Aviation Administration certification for its B777X programme, which includes both the B777-9 and B777-8 variants. The certification process has taken longer than originally expected, leaving Cathay Pacific with limited visibility on when the long-awaited jets will join its fleet. McGowan stressed that the airline is watching developments with great interest and is prepared to adapt its planning as more details emerge from Boeing.
This uncertainty comes on the heels of Cathay Pacific Group’s robust financial performance. The group, which encompasses Cathay Pacific, HK Express, Air Hong Kong, and Cathay Cargo, reported a net profit of HKD9.89 billion (USD1.27 billion) for the 12 months ending December 31, 2024. Despite this positive financial outcome, the delayed delivery schedule has prompted the airline to adjust its fleet strategy. As recently as August 2024, the company anticipated receiving two B777-9s in 2025 and the remainder in 2026 and beyond. However, six months later, the revised plan now expects all 21 aircraft to arrive in 2027 and later, highlighting the evolving nature of the delivery timeline.
In contrast, plans for other aircraft orders remain on track. HK Express is set to take delivery of four A321-200N jets this year as originally planned, and the carrier expects to receive an additional three A321-200Ns along with two A320-200Ns in 2026. Cathay Pacific itself is also scheduled to receive three Airbus narrowbodies – either A320neo or A321-200neo – which will bolster its fleet in the near term. The remainder of the group’s extensive orders, which include eleven A320/321-200Ns, thirty A330-900Ns, and twenty-one B777-9s for Cathay Pacific; six A350Fs for Cathay Cargo; and additional aircraft for HK Express, are slated for deliveries in 2027 and beyond. The group also holds options to acquire up to 82 additional aircraft, underscoring its commitment to long-term growth despite short-term delivery challenges.
In a related development, McGowan also highlighted Cathay Pacific Group’s engagement with COMAC. A team of senior managers led by CEO Ronald Lam visited the Chinese manufacturer in late 2024. McGowan expressed enthusiasm for COMAC’s progress, stating that the development of a world-class, Chinese-made aircraft is a positive sign for the industry. He noted that Cathay’s route structure and market demand might benefit from a larger narrowbody aircraft and that the airline is keenly interested in any future stretched variant of the C919. Additionally, McGowan mentioned that the potential of COMAC’s C929 and its engines to serve future mid-sized widebody needs is of considerable interest to the group. He affirmed that Cathay Pacific will continue to build strong relationships with COMAC, sharing its experiences to contribute to the manufacturer’s development efforts as the aviation landscape evolves.
Related News : https://suspicious-zhukovsky.67-21-117-18.plesk.page/?s=Cathay+Pacific
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com