Dhaka: Cathay Pacific Airways is closing in on a deal to lease 18 Airbus A321neos, largest single-aisle aircraft to bolster its short-haul fleet, said reports.

The Hong Kong based airline is targeting delivery of the A321neos from late 2025 through 2027, added reports.

Cathay is tapping lessors that already have orders on their books to get the planes faster than it would directly through Airbus.

The European planemaker is nearly sold out of delivery slots for A320neo-family jetliners through 2029.

Reports also mentioned that the carrier and its low-cost unit HK Express could source as many as 50 A320-family aircraft from lessors.

Cathay said, as per reports, that it continues to “invest in and grow our fleet with the addition of new, state-of-the-art and fuel-efficient aircraft. We have no specific updates or announcements to make at this time regarding the fleet.”

Cathay Pacific Group, which includes all-cargo carrier Air Hong Kong, operates a fleet of 225 aircraft. It originally ordered 32 A321neos that are split equally between Cathay and HK Express—12 are flying for Cathay and one so far for its low-cost subsidiary. Airbus is the sole supplier for its single-aisle jets.

The carrier is currently undergoing a review to replace its 43 Airbus A330 widebody jets, which are mostly used for short- and medium-haul flights around Asia Pacific, and adding more freighter aircraft.

Cathay CEO Ronald Lam said in a March interview that the carrier was assessing its options for new aircraft.

“We have replacement needs for the wide-body fleet and we have growth needs for the narrow-body fleet, and we will look at all options and make sure that we get the most suitable deals,” he said.