ReutersHong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd (國泰航空) yesterday said it would defer the delivery of four Airbus SE narrow-body aircraft next year as it cuts capacity to deal with falling demand due to pro-democracy protests in the territory. Yesterday, pro-democracy protests again paralyzed parts of Hong Kong, forcing school closures as well as blocking highways and other transport links. The airline plans to allocate half its order for 32 A321neo aircraft to HK Express as it looks to grow in the budget market, Cathay said last week, without mention of changes to the delivery schedule. Delivery schedules occasionally change by mutual agreement with customers, an Airbus spokesman said, without additional details. Cathay said that unrest in Hong Kong is expected to lead to a small post-acquisition loss for HK Express, which it bought this year from Chinese conglomerate HNA Group Co (海航集團) for HK$4.93 billion (US$629.82 million).

Source: Taipei Times November 14, 2019 16:01 UTC