Cathay Pacific (CX/CPA) has announced that it will defer deliveries of its brand-new Boeing 777-9X aircraft to “beyond 2025”, meaning the carrier will not receive the new 777X for at least the next five years.
The Oneworld member has 21 Boeing 777-9 jetliners on order, with deliveries previously slated to begin in 2021 and stream through to 2024 as Cathay's new flagship. The airline says 'advanced negotiations are taking place with Boeing for the deferral of B777-9 deliveries' in order to deliver short- to medium-term cash savings. Cathay's Boeing 777 first class will make way for an all-new design on the 777X. The suites have since undergone two updates of the physical or 'hard' product – once in 2013, another in 2017 – with a 'soft product' refresh from late 2019.
The carrier was originally supposed to take delivery of its order for 21 aircraft between 2021 and 2024, however has decided to defer the orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting collapse in travel demand. This has been especially tough for Cathay, which had already faced significant issues pre-pandemic due to the Hong Kong protests, competition from other carriers and other business issues.
Cathay Pacific Cancel 777x
Cathay 777x Delivery
Some speculate that the carrier may cancel its entire order for the 777X in order to save money on delivery costs, and instead simply make do with its current fleet, which is still relatively young. Like other airlines, Cathay Pacific has been trying to defer deliveries of new aircraft orders. Fortunately for the airline, Boeing has been relatively cooperative in allowing deferrals during the pandemic, although some carriers are still scheduled to take delivery of new planes like the 777X on schedule.
Cathay 777x Economy
Since the aircraft will not be delivered for at least another five years, this means that Cathay Pacific will be delaying its new first and business class products for at least five years as well. The carrier had originally planned to debut the new cabins on the 777-9, however, with the order deferred and no plans to retrofit existing aircraft, Cathay Pacific’s new premium cabins will be put on hold for now.
Cathay Pacific 777x
Featured image courtesy of Boeing