Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. is doubling down on its long-haul expansion with the first purchase of Boeing Co. widebody aircraft in a dozen years, while it struggles closer to home with its HK Express unit suffering from a sharp drop in regional demand.

Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific said on Wednesday it would place a US$8.1 billion order for 14 Boeing jets, its first with the US aircraft maker for more than a decade.Cathay already has a fleet of more than 230 mostly passenger aircraft,

The Hong Kong flag carrier said it will buy Boeing jets valued at about US$8 billion as it posted a slight increase in first-half profit on higher passenger volumes and lower fuel prices.