Leahy added that the aircraft offers Cathay a "25 percent fuel-burn reduction". "The delivery schedule fits our requirements very neatly," said Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Officer Tony Tyler. "The 30 new aircraft will be deployed to replace older aircraft and grow our fleet to meet the challenges of the future." The airline's decision to exercise purchase rights on six General Electric-powered 777-300ERs, adding to the 30 already on firm order, comes "subject to the satisfactory outcome of negotiations" with Boeing, Cathay said. To date, 18 aircraft of the type have already been delivered to the carrier, with the remaining 12 due to arrive by 2013. "Cathay Pacific will make the Boeing 777-300ER the backbone of its ultra-long-haul and long-haul fleet, chiefly serving destinations in North America and Europe with greatly improved operating economics compared to the older aircraft in its fleet," the airline says. The carrier now operates a fleet of 128 widebody aircraft, including 25 freighters.