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Qatar Airways in $19b Boeing order

It was a historic moment on the first day of the Dubai Airshow when Qatar Airways’ chief executive officer announced an order for Boeing’s 50 777X worth $19 billion at a joint news conference.

By Abdul Basit

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Published: Mon 18 Nov 2013, 11:02 PM

Last updated: Fri 3 Apr 2015, 4:21 AM

“It’s a historic way to start the Dubai Airshow,” Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker told reporters at the announcement. “I always said no [for Boeing 777X] but now I am here to announce 50 777X plane valued $19 billion at list prices,” Al Baker said at a joint news conference along with Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Emirates airline and Chief Executive of the Emirates Group.

Boeing Company’s planned 777X long-haul airliner grabbed the bulk of orders on Sunday at the first day of the Dubai Airshow. The 777X orders come even as the US plane-maker looks for alternative sites to develop the plane.

Freighter fleet

Qatar Airways has also placed a firm order for five new Airbus A330-200 Freighter aircraft in an agreement signed at the show. These will complement the airline’s rapidly-growing network, which includes more than 40 routes that have dedicated freighter services.

Included in the order are eight additional A330-200F options, which would make Sunday’s deal potentially worth over $2.8 billion at list prices for a total of 13 aircraft. These planes on order will complement three A330-200Fs Qatar Airways already operates since earlier this year.

“The A330 Family has demonstrated outstanding operational reliability and performance for both our passenger and cargo transport operations. It is with this in mind that we chose to expand our freighter fleets with more A330-200Fs,” said Al Baker.

“We aim to be the best in everything we do, the air cargo market is no different, which is why we ordered the most modern and economic cargo aircraft available in its category.”

Airbus president and chief executive officer Fabrice Brégier said: “Qatar Airways is one of our key partners in the region, and its selection of the A330-200F illuminates its ambitious plans as the airline expands and invests in new freighter aircraft. The A330-200F, with up to 70 metric tonnes of payload, is the only viable alternative to large freighters in today’s fast changing market, making it an ideal choice for a constantly evolving carrier.”

Qatar Airways continues to be a highly-valued customer and partner for Airbus — a relationship that has flourished since the airline received its first Airbus aircraft in 1997.

Today, Airbus aircraft form an ever-more essential cornerstone of Qatar Airways’ global operations with more than 200 aircraft directly ordered across all modern Airbus product families, from the single-aisle A320 all the way up to the flagship A380.

Aimed at replacing ageing mid-sized freighters, the A330-200F offers an alternative to larger freighters within fleets. Benefiting from the technical superiority and market success of the A330 passenger version, it will offer opportunities to grow frequencies in under-served markets at no additional cost-per-tonne.

The A330-200F is the world’s most modern mid-size freighter and can carry 70 tonnes of payload, with a range capability of up to 4,000nm. This range and payload capability provides flexibility for both regional and intercontinental operations, versatility to match costs and frequencies with market expectations, thereby allowing operators to grow existing business and expand into new routes.

— abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com