Qatar Airways takes off with $19bn aviation deal at Dubai Airshow

In a record-breaking Dubai Airshow that has rewritten the history books, Doha-based carrier, Qatar Airways continued the order book rally with a 50 aircraft order with Boeing.

Qatar Airways confirmed an order of 50 Boeing 777-9X with a letter of intent, signed by Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways, Akbar Al Baker.

Addressing media at a press conference at Al Maktoum international airport, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: “Today, I represent Qatar Airways and its Board Members in signing a ‘Letter Of Intent’ for the purchase of 50 Boeing 777 - 9X aircraft, valued at $19 billion at list prices”

He continued: “For Qatar Airways, the Boeing 777 is our flagship aircraft. It has been the backbone of the fleet. Operational on many of the routes Qatar Airways flies to, it is well admired by our crew and passengers alike; it is simply a fantastic aeroplane.

“Since Qatar Airways started taking deliveries of Boeing 777s in November 2007, our fleet has been significantly enhanced, enabling the airline to reach a route map covering the entire Middle East and most of Africa; the Indian sub-continent, Europe, Asia Pacific, North and South America,”

In attendance at the announcement were: His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed-Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chief Executive of Emirates Group, among others aviation heads.

Currently Qatar Airways fleet is a mixture of 51 Boeing 777s – both Extended Range, Long Range and Freighters (37 are currently in service with the remaining pending delivery).

Of the current 777 fleet, Qatar Airways operates a mix of passenger and cargo aircraft – 23 Boeing 777-300ERs, nine 777-200LRs (Long Range) and five Boeing 777 freighters.

Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 16 years of operations, currently flying a fleet of 128 aircraft to 133 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and The Americas.

In an aggressive expansion drive, Qatar Airways launched eleven new destinations this year, including  Gassim (Saudi Arabia), Najaf (Iraq), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Chicago (USA), Clark International airport (Philippines) , among others.

On October 30, the airline also joined the oneworld Alliance, becoming the only major Gulf carrier to join a global airline alliance, enabling its customers to benefit from almost a thousand airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,000 daily departures.

Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney said: “Boeing is very proud to have Qatar Airways amongst the launch customers for the new 777X programme.  Qatar Airways has enjoyed remarkable worldwide growth in recent years and we very much look forward to continuing to support the airline on its path to further success in the future.”

Freighter order

Qatar Airways also placed a firm order for five new Airbus A330-200 Freighter aircraft at the airshow.

Included in the order are eight additional A330-200F options – which would make today’s deal potentially worth over $2.8bn at list prices for a total of 13 aircraft.

These aircraft 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 Chief Executive Officer, Fabrice Bregier 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.”

This year marks the 13th edition of the Dubai Airshow, which runs until November 21 and is taking place at the newly-opened Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), located in Jebel Ali, Dubai.

Up to 150 aircraft will be on static display, featuring over 1,000 exhibitors. The 2011 edition of the show attracted over 55,000 visitors from around the world, with this year’s numbers expected to far surpass that.
 

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