DOHA - Qatar Airways has practically taken it for granted that there will be delays in the delivery of the Airbus Industrie's A380 aircraft.
Qatar Aiwrays CEO Akbar Al Baker said yesterday: "We are not expecting delivery until maybe October or November of 2009. I am sure we will be notified of delayed delivery at the beginning of the year. But we don't mind, we will get money from them.'
The A380 has been hit by production delays with other major airlines like Singapore and Emirates seriously reconsidering their plans to acquire the aircraft. The thinking is plans and scheduling could go haywire with the delays in delivery. Qatar Airways, incidentally, is one of the launch customers for the super jumbo.
Al Baker pointed out that the airline does not enter into purchase agreements unless performance-related penalties are written into contracts.
On the A350s, of which he said the airline will be adding 60 to its fleet, deliveries are expected in 2013. He also mentioned that Lagos in Nigeria will be added to the airline's route map in the future.
Al Baker has been vocal in the past on the A350 expressing his clear dissatisfaction with Airbus Industrie going in for a revamping of the jet to deal with competition. In May, speaking in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, the CEO said he was still committed to a letter of intent signed last year for 60 of the A350s but no definitive order could be placed until specifications of the retooled aircraft were detailed.
The CEO refused to comment on reports in international publications that the airline was all set to announce an order for 20 Boeing 777 aircraft.
Reports had said that the airline had placed orders for 14 777-300ERs and six 777-200LRs.
Al Baker said that he expected to make some sort of announcement very soon, most likely at the upcoming Farnborough Air Show to be held later this month.
© The Peninsula 2006
