DOHA - Qatar Airways yesterday showed off the newest addition to its fleet - the Airbus A340-600 aircraft.
The aeroplane is expected to be used for long-haul routes such as to the US and Australia, according to Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Akbar Al Baker.
Named the Ras Laffan and bearing the call letters A7-AGA, the aircraft was rolled out on to the tarmac in front of the ministerial lounge at Doha International Airport. The A340-600 has a capacity of 280 passengers, of which eight can be placed in First Class while 42 can be seated in Business Class.
Ten of the aircraft have been ordered for deliveries over a two-year period and there are options for more, Al Baker said. Qatar Airways' A340-600 on show yesterday is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent engines. The A340-600 is also the world's longest passenger aircraft.
The CEO said: "This is the first aircraft of its type to be delivered anywhere in the world. It is also the most luxurious and will be used for ultra-long routes like the US and Australia."
A special area in the aircraft has been set aside as a First Class lounge which include plush sofas, mood lighting and a stand-up bar.
The aircraft was brought in front of the media after a fireman's salute of water arches provided by the local fire department. The new aeroplane also showed off Qatar Airways' new livery for the first time. This is the airline's first four-engine aircraft as well.
It is capable of flying a full load of cargo and passengers for 14 hours non-stop.
Addressing reporters prior to a tour of the aircraft, Al Baker said the A340-600 has crew rest facilities and also offers them a full in-flight entertainment system, akin to that offered to passengers. "The crew will be working from nine to 10 hours and can take turns to rest. There will be 16 crew members on the aircraft and will also carry a double complement of flight deck crew," said Al Baker.
Business Class will have two separate sections and a dedicated area from where passengers can help themselves to snacks and refreshments. Wooden flooring serves to give the area something of a homely touch.
Speaking on other issues, he said work on the new airport terminal is on at full swing. The e-gate instituted by the airline will also be hooked up to the Ministry of Interior's immigration system making passenger departures and arrivals a relatively simple matter.
He added that the airline will be more than capable of handling Asian Games-related arrivals and departures.
"We are ready for the Asian Games and we hope for more airlines and extra flights. With the old airport during the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), we were handling 25,000 at peak times. One should also remember that thousands of passengers will not land during the Games over a single day but will be spread over several days," he said.
As a word of caution, amid some nervous laughter, the CEO stated: "We won't be complacent. I will not accept failure or incompetence on the part of my staff."
© The Peninsula 2006
