Qatar Airways has again pushed back delivery of its first Airbus A380s and will place into service its first ultra-large-aircraft in 2012.
The airline's chief executive Akbar Al Baker says delivery of the first aircraft has been delayed from 2010 to 2012 because the carrier does not want take the aircraft at the same time as it moves to Doha's new international airport.
"We don't want to rush into it," he said on the sidelines of the Arab Air Carriers Organisation annual general meeting in Damascus.
Qatar made an initial commitment in 2001 to acquire two A380s. In 2003 it delayed delivery of the aircraft from 2007 to 2008, citing delays in the construction of the new airport. Last year it delayed the delivery of the first aircraft until 2010 citing problems at Airbus in ramping up production.
At the Paris air show earlier this year Qatar ordered another three A380s, increasing its total commitment to five, but indicated deliveries were still on track to begin in late 2010. No engine selection has yet been announced.
Al Baker says delaying the deliveries by another two years gives Qatar time to settle into Doha's new airport and also gives Airbus time to design improvements to the aircraft. He adds improvements in the A380's weight and range are expected.
But Qatar has already begun working on plans for the A380 interior. Al Baker suggests Qatar's A380s will include amenities beyond what Singapore Airlines is offering, but will not give away details until closer to delivery.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
