Hong Kong’s flagship carrier
Cathay Pacific
said Friday it has ordered six freighter aircraft from
Airbus.
It’s a blow to
Boeing.
The airline has long been planning to replace its aging Boeing 747 fleet, but a decision has been delayed for several months. On Friday,
Cathay Pacific
said it has agreed to buy six
Airbus
A350F jets for approximately $2.7 billion in a filing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
It has also secured the rights to purchase a further 20 Airbus freighter aircraft.
In the long-running rivalry between the world’s two largest aircraft manufacturers, this was a significant battle. Cathay’s choice between the A350F and
Boeing’s
777 freighter was closely watched as the airline operates passenger jets of both models.
Airbus stock rose 1.5% in early European trading following the announcement, while Boeing shares were 0.5% lower in premarket trading.
Write to Callum Keown at callum.keown@barrons.com
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