Cathay close to B777-8F order

Reuters is reporting that the Cathay Pacific Group is close to a deal with Boeing for its newest freighter, the B777-8F. According to the newsoutlet, the deal is for up to six B777-8Fs. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2027.

Cathay Cargo is planning to use the new freighters to replace its six B747-400Fs in the fleet, which are now almost 15 years old on average. Next to the -400Fs, the company also operates fourteen B747-8Fs.

Both Boeing and Cathay have declined to comment on the order, which is the result of a tender the company conducted that also included the Airbus A350F.

Next to the B777-8F, Cathay also has orders for 21 B777-9s with Boeing. During the pandemic, the airline was actively considering reducing that order, so it will be interesting to see if these six B777-8F will be conversions or additional.

Illustration by Boeing.