The Boeing Company announced that Cathay Pacific Airways has ordered five additional Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) jetliners, increasing the airline's commitment to a total of 23 of these advanced twin-engine, twin-aisle airplanes.

The order stems back to 2005 when Cathay Pacific decided to purchase twelve 777-300ERs from Boeing, with four additional operating leases through International Lease Finance Corp. The first of those airplanes will be delivered in September. Last year the airline exercised additional rights to order two more 777-300ERs, said a statement from Boeing.

The five new planes are valued at US$1.4 billion. All of Cathay Pacific's 777-300ERs will be powered by General Electric GE90-115BL engines.

Cathay Pacific's 777-300ER fleet will be used primarily on long haul and ultra long-haul routes to Europe and North America. The airplanes will enable full payload and non-stop service connecting Hong Kong and New York.

"This fleet expansion is in line with our plan to expand our network and connectivity," said Cathay Pacific chief executive Tony Tyler. "These aircraft represent a very substantial investment and underline our long-term commitment to continued profitable growth of the airline."

With its twin-engine efficiency, the 777-300ER reduces fuel consumption by more than 20 per cent per seat compared to its closest competitor, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions by more than 20 per cent.

The airline currently operates 777-200s and -300s for regional operations and the airline has selected the 777 family as the standard of its ultra long-haul service for the future.

Cathay Pacific currently operates 24 Boeing 747-400s and 17 Boeing 777-200/300s in passenger service, as well as six 747-400 Freighters, seven 747-200 Freighters and six 747-400BCFs (Boeing Converted Freighters) with two more 747-400BCFs and six 747-400ER Freighters on order.

Additionally, Dragonair, a Cathay Pacific subsidiary, operates another six 747 Freighters with three 747-400BCFs on order.