CATHAY PACIFIC has placed its biggest ever order for new aircraft as it expands its fleet and continues to strengthen Hong Kong as a global aviation hub. The airline has committed to 16 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with purchase rights for 20 more. Another three Airbus A330-300s are also to be acquired to operate regional routes. The first new Boeings arrive in 2007. All three Airbus will be delivered in 2008. Cathay Pacific's fleet currently totals 95 aircraft. Its long-haul fleet comprises 22 Boeing 747-400, 15 Airbus A340-300 and three Airbus A340-600. The regional fleet comprises 16 Boeing 777-200/300 and 26 Airbus A330-300 aircraft. The airline also operates 13 Boeing 747 freighters. The airline has now gone four times daily between Heathrow and Hong Kong, part of a sustained expansion plan which includes imminent new route announcements to further establish Hong Kong as a global aviation hub. Cathay now goes twice daily to New York (one of which is non-stop) and three times daily to both Los Angeles and Sydney.
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