DOHA/FARNBOROUGH - Qatar Airways yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Farnborough Air Show in the UK with European manufacturer Airbus for the purchase of four Airbus A321 narrow-body aircraft in a deal valued at $360m at present list prices. Two more aircraft are on option.
The order is dwarfed by the massive amount of aircraft ordered by regional rivals, the Abu-Dhabi-based Etihad Airways, which ordered aircraft worth $43bn for 205 jets in an even split between Airbus and Boeing of the US on Monday.
Analysts had expected Qatar Airways to place orders for additional Airbus A380 super-jumbo aircraft at Farnborough. However, Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways CEO, has opted for the single-aisle A321s for the time being. He told media he was in negotiations with Airbus to acquire A320 jets and expected to make an announcement soon.
Al Baker said on signing the MoU with Airbus: "Concluding this deal for the additional A321 aircraft will further assist Qatar Airways in the rapid development of its regional network." With the addition of the six A321s, the fleet's narrow-body aircraft strength will rise to 27, consisting of 14 A321s, 11 A320s and two A319 long-range planes.
He has also shown interest in Canadian plane-maker's Bombardier's just-unveiled CSeries aircraft, which can seat 110 to 130 passengers and which could also be used on intra-Gulf routes. An order may ensue at a later stage.
Al Baker said: "Qatar Airways' young and efficient fleet of Airbus A320 family of aircraft continues to support the airline's dramatic growth at a time when the airline industry as whole is struggling with the impact of prevailing high fuel prices. Qatar Airways is clearly bucking the trend by placing aircraft orders and being confident of a bright future for the Middle East and global aviation industry."
Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO, said: "Qatar Airways' attention to passenger service is legendary so we are delighted to have it as a customer for the A321. We take great pride in our partnership with Qatar Airways which dates back to its inception in 1992. Qatar Airways is a world-class airline and our partnership grows with each new aircraft order." The A320 family of aircraft includes the A318, A319, A320 and A321 which feature fly-by-wire controls and share a commonality in cockpits and operational use. The aircraft is the largest member of the family with a length of 146 feet and a range of 5,600 km. In a typical two-class seating capacity it can offer 185 seats in Economy and 16 in First/Business class. In a single-class configuration it can carry 199 passengers.
© The Peninsula 2008
