Qatar Airways in $2.8bn deal for 777-300ER jets

Akbar al-Baker (left) with Ray Conner celebrating a new order by the airline for nine new Boeing 777 aircraft during the Paris Air Show yesterday.
 
Qatar Airways and Boeing have announced an order for nine 777-300ER jets in a deal worth up to $2.8bn at current list prices.

The order for the additional aircraft, which is an extended range version of Boeing 777, will help the airline open up new routes and add capacity to existing markets in its rapidly-growing network.
The airline’s outstanding order for seven Boeing 777 jets will increase to 16 and boost its current fleet of thirty-five 777s to some 51 aircraft.

Of the current 777 fleet, Qatar Airways operates a mix of passenger and cargo aircraft – 22 Boeing 777-300ERs, nine 777-200LRs (long range) and four Boeing 777 freighters, with a fifth cargo plane set to be delivered to the airline this month.

According to Boeing, Qatar Airways took delivery of its first Boeing 777 in November 2007. In September 2011, the airline received a 777-200LR that became the 100th airplane to join its fleet.
The demand for the Boeing 777 led to an increased production rate of 8.3 per month — 100 airplanes per year — in February 2013. In the past three years, the 777 programme has increased rate two times, first from five airplanes per month to seven in 2011, then to the current, all-time high rate of 8.3.
As of May 2013, 1,105 777 jets have been delivered and a total of 1,452 have been ordered by 68 customers around the globe.

Addressing media at Le Bourget, venue of the Paris Air Show, Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al-Baker said: “With its reliability, economics and range capability, the 777 will continue to play a key role in enabling Qatar Airways to operate more direct non-stop flights from our hub in Doha to destinations in many markets including Australasia and the United States.

“We have already shown a desire to open up new destinations in the US and the Boeing 777 will further feature in our expansion plans in this part of the world, in addition to increasing frequency to other destinations.

“Since Qatar Airways started taking deliveries of Boeing 777s in November 2007, we have quickly expanded this fleet, flying to key long-haul destinations to all parts of the world – Europe, Southern Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America – and selected cities in the Middle East. The 777 has proved popular with our passengers being an aircraft of choice and it has made a positive impact on our operations, now established as the flagship aircraft of our long-haul flying programme.”

Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Ray Conner said: “It is a great honour to have Qatar Airways operate the 777 as its long-haul flagship aircraft. The 777s’ unrivalled economics and customer-preferred passenger experience make it a cornerstone of Qatar Airways’ success.”

Qatar Airways has its newest aircraft, a 787 Dreamliner, on static display at Le Bourget having flown yesterday direct from Boeing’s assembly plant in Seattle to make its French debut at the Paris Air Show. The new addition takes the carrier’s Dreamliners up to six aircraft.

Al-Baker said the airline was still looking at buying more of Airbus’ A330s, a 20-year-old model which has enjoyed a renaissance during delivery delays of the 787 Dreamliner, AFP adds.

Analysts say A330s are available at heavily-discounted prices as Boeing prepares to introduce its similar-sized but lighter 787-10.
“Yes, we are still talking to Airbus about A330s, but it has to be at the right price,” he added. “With the introduction of the A350, that aircraft becomes a little vintage.”