Cathay Pacific (CX, Hong Kong International) has expressed disappointment over the recent delays in the delivery of its B777X aircraft, as reported by Bloomberg this week. The airline was initially expecting to receive the first of its twenty-one B777-9s in 2025, but Boeing has now stated that no deliveries will occur before 2026 due to a series of delays.
“We want all our aircraft, and we’d like them to be delivered at the time that they’re promised,” said Alex McGowan, the airline’s chief operations and service delivery officer. “When they’re not, that’s a disappointment to us.”
The delivery timeline for the first B777X is now approximately five years behind the original schedule. In August, Boeing halted its B777-9 test fleet operations due to structural issues. Due to this situation, along with industrial action and other developmental challenges, Boeing informed customers earlier this month not to expect any B777-9s until 2026 and no B777-8Fs until 2028.
McGowan made these remarks during a joint event with Airbus in Hong Kong, celebrating recent agreements with the manufacturer. Cathay Pacific plans to invest over HKD100 billion (approximately USD12.9 billion) in the next seven years, primarily for aircraft payments.
In addition to the B777-9s, Cathay Pacific has a firm orderbook that includes fifteen A321-200Ns, four A321-200NX, thirty A330-900Ns, and six A350Fs. Furthermore, the group’s low-cost carrier, HK Express (UO, Hong Kong International), has orders for eight A320-200Ns, nine A321-200Ns, and eight A321-200NX. The Cathay Pacific Group also holds unexercised options for another 80 aircraft.
