Boeing

Cathay Pacific Airways Purchases Boeing 777-200 And 747-400F

Boeing Commercial Airplanes Group today confirmed an order from Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. for one 777-200 and one 747-400 Freighter. Delivery of the 777 is scheduled for December 2000, and the 747-400F will deliver in April 2001.

This order was accounted for in cumulative order totals published recently by Boeing. Until this announcement, the customer for the order was listed as "unidentified."

Cathay Pacific Airways, with headquarters in Hong Kong, China, was founded in 1946 and operates flights to 48 destinations in 28 countries/territories. The airline operates a fleet of 65 airplanes of which 39 are Boeing models. The Boeing fleet currently consists of 11 777 series and 28 747 series airplanes.

"With a larger fleet we will be adding new destinations and increasing frequencies across our already extensive global network," said James Hughes-Hallett, chairman - Cathay Pacific Airways. "The 777-200 and 747-400F will bring our passengers and cargo shippers even more service choices."

Cathay Pacific Airways and Boeing have enjoyed a successful 30-year relationship that began when Cathay received its first 707 in 1970. The airline was a launch customer for the Boeing 747-400, the 777-200 and the 777-300.

"The 777 is the world's most advanced, efficient and comfortable twin-engine jetliner and the 747-400 freighter is the premier cargo carrier in the sky. These are important members of the Boeing family that provide total solutions to our customers," said Seddik Belyamani, executive vice president - Sales and Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Group.

The 777 entered service in June 1995 and is the best-selling airplane in its class. To date, 462 777 airplanes have been ordered by 30 customers.

The 747-400F is the all-cargo transport member of the 747-400 family. It can carry twice as much cargo, twice as far, as its leading competitor. The 747-400F also has the lowest operating cost per ton-mile. To date, 12 customers have ordered a total of 75 747-400 Freighters; 41 have been delivered.

In addition to today's announcement, Cathay Pacific holds a firm order placed in October 1999 for two 747-400 Freighters, which are scheduled to be delivered in September 2000 and August 2001.

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For further information:
Tom McLean
(Beijing)
(86-10) 6539-2299 ext 1061
Marta Newhart
(Seattle)
(206) 766-2041