Asian carrier Cathay Pacific has added 27 new planes to its planned fleet expansion, bringing the total number of aircraft on order to 91.
The new order, worth HK$51 billion, includes 15 A330s from Airbus, scheduled for delivery from 2013, plus a leasing agreement for two more A350-900s.
From Boeing, Cathay has ordered 10 more B777-300ERs, to be delivered by 2015.
Tony Tyler, Cathay's CEO, said the airline is responding to Asia Pacific's position as the world's fastest growing aviation market.
“Cathay Pacific is well positioned in [its hub] Hong Kong to take advantage of this blooming market to grow our business,” he said.
Cathay plans to use the new planes in the latest order to replace older, less fuel efficient aircraft.
Tyler said: “Our plan is to retire our 21 Boeing 747-400 and 11 Airbus A340-300 aircraft before the end of the decade as we take delivery progressively of new generation aircraft that will provide much greater fuel and operating cost efficiencies."
Last September, Cathay placed orders for 30 Airbus A350-900s to be delivered from 2016 to 2019, and six Boeing 777-300ERs to be delivered between 2013 and 2014.
The airline is also investing $HK1 billion over the next nine years in new products and services, to include a new business class seat.