Doha - Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Akbar Al Baker yesterday confirmed that the airline had placed firm orders for 20 Boeing 777 aircraft.
The first Boeing aircraft, a 777-300ER, will be delivered to Qatar Airways in November next year. The airline has also ordered the Boeing 777-200LR version, the CEO said.
ER refers to 'Extended Range' while LR refers to 'Long Range' in Boeing aircraft parlance.
There had been differing accounts earlier in various international media on whether Qatar Airways had opted for the aircraft. Speculation was rife as Boeing showed off its order books which included 777 sales to an unnamed buyer, which was assumed to be Qatar Airways.
Yesterday's statement by the airline's CEO put to rest any guessing games. An order of 20 777-family aircraft would cost in the region of $4.24bn. Financing details for the aircraft, however, are not available.
"We have placed orders with Boeing and have an order for 20 LR and ER 777s. The first 777-300ER is expected in November next year," said Al Baker.
The airline also is sticking to its commitments to Airbus, Boeing's fierce rival. Al Baker told reporters: "Our Airbus orders are very large. Deliveries will continue well into the next decade."
Speaking on the much-debated order for Airbus A350s, he said: "Our order still stands. We are very committed to Airbus."
The A350 deals had seemed somewhat up in the air, particularly after the CEO's pronouncements abroad that he was less than satisfied with Airbus deciding to go for a revamp of the aircraft to face competition posed by Boeing.
Airbus recently unveiled its A350XWB at the Farnborough Air Show in the UK. Deliveries of the A350s are expected to begin in 2009.
Al Baker was fairly hopeful of on-time delivery of the Airbus aircraft, keeping in mind that delays would result in the manufacturer having to pay penalties to Qatar Airways. The airline has always ensured that such stipulations are in place to make certain that aircraft ordered are supplied on time. Failing on-time delivery, airline scheduling and planning can go haywire.
© The Peninsula 2006
