Qatar Airways yesterday confirmed its $13.5 billion order for Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Boeing 777 aircraft – and announced five additional orders for the freighter version of the 777.
The long-expected but unconfirmed deal for 27 777s and 30 787s, with options for 35 more, was finally formalised at the show yesterday afternoon. The firm orders are worth $13.5 billion and all the aircraft will be powered by GE engines.
The 787 deal comprises 30 firm orders for the -8 model for delivery from mid-2010, plus 30 options, powered by GEnx engines. The airline has the option to switch to the larger -9 and proposed -10 variant.
This order was unofficially revealed at the 787 roll-out in July, when the Qatar Airways logo appeared on the aircraft's fuselage. The 777 order has been on Boeing’s books for more than a year, but includes five new orders for 777Fs to add to the existing deal for 14 777-300ERs (the first of which is about to be delivered); six -200LRs and two -777Fs. The airline has also taken five 777 options. Delivery of the -200LRs will begin in the second half of 2008 with the 777Fs arriving from late 2009.
Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker told Boeing executives at a media briefing: “It has been a long time before we made up our mind whether we were going to be in your camp or in the other one. We chose you, but we also made the other camp rather happy,” referring to Qatar’s decision to buy Airbus A350XWBs as well.
Back to the rest of Dubai 2007 show news, blogs, and pictures
Source: Flight Daily News
