Cathay Dragon (Hong Kong International) has announced it has selected Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) for its fleet renewal and expansion plans. In a statement issued on Monday, August 21, the Cathay Pacific (CX, Hong Kong International) unit said it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the acquisition of thirty-two A321neo aircraft.

"The intention to purchase these 32 environmentally-friendly aircraft will allow us to add new destinations to Cathay Dragon’s network," Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Officer and Cathay Dragon Chairman Rupert Hogg said. "We also intend to increase frequencies on some of our most popular routes in order to provide our customers with more travel choices and convenience."

The new aircraft, which are scheduled to be delivered between 2020 and 2023, are intended to replace Cathay Dragon’s existing single-aisle fleet of twenty-three aircraft, comprising fifteen Airbus A320-200s and eight A321-200s. The airline, which also operates twenty-four wide-body A330-300s, serves fifty-six destinations in Asia, including twenty-eight cities in mainland China.