With rising fuel costs taking their toll, the carrier may have to order the energy-saving Airbus A380
Cathay Pacific Airways may add Airbus Industrie's giant A380 to its fleet, although not in the short term, according to the airline's engineering director, Derek Cridland.
'Aircraft such as the A380 is something we are looking at,' Mr Cridland said, adding the airline was currently focusing on mid-sized planes for immediate fleet purchases, details of which should be decided by the end of the year.
Mr Cridland's comments came as Cathay took delivery of its 26th Airbus A330-300 from Toulouse this week. The plane will be used for flights of about nine hours, including the Hong Kong to Sydney route.
The airline has ordered a further three A330-300's from the manufacturer, and has firm orders with Boeing for a B777-300 and five used B747-400's.
Cathay has so far declined to commit to the double-decker A380, dubbed the 'flagship of the 21st century' by its manufacturer for its size and costs savings. With 555 seats, it can carry up to 35 per cent more passengers than its rival, the Boeing 747.
'We are looking at it,' Mr Cridland stressed, however.