Cathay Pacific had ordered 21 of the larger B777-9 aircrafts, those were originally scheduled for delivery from 2021 through 2024. Initially, Cathay negotiated with Boeing to defer the delivery of the new flagship B777X aircrafts to “beyond 2025.”
Now, as recent as Today, sources say , Cathay Pacific plans to reduce its Original order of 21 aircrafts to somewhere between 10 to 15 of them ! And the decision is an effect of gradual deterioration of Long haul Air travel demand.
The advanced long-range aircraft, currently undergoing variuos testings for certification , has faced numerous setbacks and delays on the way to production.
Emirate's President Tim Clark has been criticizing Boeing Co’s 777X progress, as he believes, the upcoming Long haul Aircraft might not enter into service until 2023 or even later.
He finds uncertainty over the development timeline of Boeing’s biggest twin-engine jet and when it will be certified. He says,
“It is a question of when that aircraft is going to be completed and certified and offered for entry of service. That could be ‘22, could be ‘23, it could be even longer,”
Earlier in January, Boeing said that , the 777X aircraft delivery would take place in late 2023, with the manufacturer incurring a US$6.5 billion charge for the significant delay.
At the 2013 Dubai Airshow, Boeing had Launched the B777X programme bagging as good as 259 airplanes orders, out of which Emirates had commited for 150 airplanes. Since then, Emirates has already trimmed its order from 150 to 126 aircrafts.
Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al-Maktoum, center, is presented with a model of Emirates' new 777X airliner by Boeing CEO Jim McNerney, left, during the opening ceremony of the Dubai Air Show on Nov. 17, 2013. STR/AFP/Getty Images
A 2020 filing of Boeing saw its 777X order tally at the end of 2020 stood at 191 compared with 309 a year earlier. This clearly states, Larger Long Hauls are out of flavour for the current scenario.
Rather, Carriers want to concentrate on smaller long-haul jetliners like the B787 or A350.
Middle East carrier Etihad, last week said it would scrap the Boeing 777-300ER , for its smaller and efficient sibling aircraft the B787 and Airbus’ A350 jets
Cathay Pacific Airways is not different, as it mulls shrinking of its initial B777X order and save billions during the pandemic crisis.
Sources say, Carrier would save around HK$58 billion (US$7.4 billion), if it slashes the order from 21 jets to between 10 and 15, maintaining the much needed liquidity to stay afloat.
The Hong Kong based carrier suffered a minimum of HK$21.6 billion in losses , while bulk of its 239 aircraft fleet remained under storage, and the fleet of 68 B777 aircrafts could not do the flying.
Since July last year, Cathay has been involved in negotiations for deferring Airbus Deliveries and pressing Boeing to do so as well !
Pictures : Embeded , Ryan B , Cathay Pacific.
