Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. said Friday it agreed to buy six Airbus aircraft with a total catalog price of US$1.63 billion as part of its expansion plans.

The blue-chip Hong Kong-based airline, which is controlled by conglomerate Swire Pacific Ltd., said it agreed to buy six A350-900 long-haul aircraft from Airbus, a unit of European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co.

The airline didn't disclose the actual cost of the purchases, but it said Airbus had granted it "significant price concessions." Airlines usually receive discounts from manufacturers for large aircraft orders.

Cathay Pacific said it expects to take delivery of the planes between 2016 and 2017.

The company will fund the transaction with commercial bank loans, other debt instruments and internal cash resources, it added.