Cathay Pacifi c Airways said it has ordered fi ve additional Boeing 777- 300ER (Extended Range) aircraft, increasing the airline’s commitment to a total of 23 of the advanced twinengine airplanes.

Cathay Pacifi c announced in 2005 that the airline was purchasing 12 777- 300ERs, with four additional operating leases through International Lease Finance Corp. The fi rst of those aircraft will be delivered this month. Last year the airline exercised additional rights to order two more 777-300ERs.

The fi ve new aircraft, which have an estimated value of $1.4 billion at Boeing list prices, will be used primarily on long-haul and ultra-long-haul routes to Europe and North America.

The airline currently operates 777- 200s and -300s for regional operations. Separately, Cathay announced an increase in its Japanese service. It will operate a sixth daily Hong Kong-Tokyo Narita fl ight from October and applied to codeshare on new Dragonair services to Fukuoka (daily) and Sendai (thriceweekly), also from October. Dragonair will cease operating its daily fl ight to Narita.