It seems Qatar Airways still has the cash to splash – with the airline signing a Letter of Intent and committing order with Boeing today for up to 100 aircraft.
Let’s look at the order part first. This will be for 10 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and 30 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. For Qatar Airways, these aircraft are no strangers – the airline operates Boeing 777-300ERs in its fleet already, and also operate the smaller 787-8 too.
This brings the total backlog of Boeing Aircraft due to Qatar Airways to 105 frames.
The big news however isn’t in the wide-bodied aircraft – but in narrow-body – as Qatar Airways signs a Letter of Intent for 60 Boeing 737 MAX 8 Aircraft.
Qatar Airways Boeing 737 MAX 8 climbing out over Doha – Rendering, The Boeing Company.
The LOI covers a request for up to 60 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft with a list value of US$6.9 billion (of course – anyone who pays the full price for aircraft in the world of airlines is… well).
So why is the LOI for the 737 MAX’s important? It’s an important signal to Airbus, who have been trouble delivering the Airbus A320neo aircraft to Qatar Airways.
Qatar Airways so far have cancelled 4 of its A320neos that were due to be delivered. Qatar Airways currently have an order for 50 A320neo family aircraft.
Air Transport World has an interesting quote why Qatar Airways went over to the 737 MAX – it’s worth a read.
But there’s another quote which Wandering Aramean picked up on during the conference… which should give you an insight to the mindset at Qatar Airways the moment:
“Boeing’s competitors don’t want me saying this, but inside they know this is true: Boeing makes the best airplanes.” Closing from AAB.
— Seth Miller (@WandrMe) October 7, 2016
That should give you an insight to the Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways and Airbus relationship at the moment.
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