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Qatar Airways to boost fleet to 38 by year-end

DUBAI - Qatar Airways will take delivery of 13 new Airbus aircraft this year, boosting its fleet to 38 by year-end, as it continues to build a fleet of 52 aircraft during the next five years.

Qatar Airways' Chief Executive Officer Mr Akbar Al Baker, addressing a Press conference in the Jordanian capital of Amman on Thursday confirmed that this year's delivery of aircraft represented the airline's largest delivery of aircraft.

"This year's delivery reflects the considerable investment that Qatar Airways is making in our fleet, and forms part of the US$5.1 billion deal that we signed with Airbus last year for an additional 34 aircraft," said Mr Al Baker.

"This sort of growth is virtually unheard of in the airline industry, and proves once again that we are one of the fastest growing airlines in the world.

"The delivery not only represents another historical milestone for Qatar Airways, but will also give us the flexibility to add new destinations and increase frequencies to our most popular destinations. "All this year's deliveries will be Airbus aircraft, consistent with the current fleet. "We will be receiving four new A330s, two A320s, and two A321s.

"In addition, we will be taking delivery of four leased A330s, bringing our fleet of A330s up to a total of thirteen Airbus A330s by the end of 2004.

"We are also taking delivery of an additional aircraft for our Amiri VIP fleet."

Al Baker added: "Despite our aggressive growth, we continuously focus on the service we are providing to our passengers. We intend to be the best airline in the world from a quality service point of view. At Qatar Airways our aim is to be the best, provide the best service and take passengers to more destinations, more frequently - these new aircraft will help us with that aim," he added.