Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker is meeting with Boeing officials tomorrow to discuss the latest delays to the Boeing 787 programme, and possible changes to the carrier's 787 delivery schedule that could result in deliveries from 2011.

Speaking to reporters at last month's Paris Air Show Baker warned the carrier may cancel its 30-aircraft 787 order if the airframer does not quickly resolve delay issues. At a media briefing in Washington DC today, Al Baker says Boeing has responded to this warning by scheduling a meeting with the carrier.

"The meeting is at their request because they are now concerned which way Qatar Airways will go," Al Baker says. "They are taking a very proactive stand with Qatar Airways."

Al Baker says "there are a few issues we will discuss with them" including the latest delays in the 787 test programme and the possibility of assuming earlier delivery slots. He says Qatar's first 787 is now scheduled to be roughly the 50th production aircraft to roll off the assembly line, but there should be an opportunity to move up as airlines ahead of Qatar have requested deferrals.

Qatar's first 787 was originally scheduled for delivery in mid 2010, but programme delays have pushed back all deliveries by at least two years. Al Baker is now asking for slots in 2011 and says if Boeing can only offer 2012 deliveries it may cancel its entire order.

"If it slips into 2012 for delivery then we'll have to consider cancelling our order," he says. "We'll have to consider [cancelling] because if there is another big slippage the deliveries will be at the same we are receiving this large order of A350s and the A350 mission will be very close to the 787. If there's a huge overlap then why am I buying two types of airplanes that are doing the same mission?"

Qatar has 100 A350s on order. Its 787 order is for 30 firm aircraft plus 30 options.

The carrier had been planning to use the 787 to replace its A330s on medium-haul routes and open new long-haul markets. Al Baker says the A350 will be used for similar routes but Qatar decided initially to also acquire 787s because it needed additional capacity earlier.

"We'll start getting the A350 during the last quarter of 2013 if they are on time," he says. "I think there could be a six month slippage maximum, but at the same time I feel more confident Airbus will deliver on time due to the fact they're learning huge lessons from the mistake Boeing has made."

Al Baker believes 2011 deliveries for the 787 are still feasible despite the latest delays in the aircraft's first flight. He explains while aircraft number 50 may now not be delivered until after 2011 Qatar should be able to move up to a 2011 slot because airlines which are now ahead of it no longer want their 787s until after 2011. "The people that are committed to the airplanes before us are not taking those airplanes," he explains.

He adds Qatar should be in position to receive these slots because "others that have ordered after us don't have the right" to move up and take these slots.

Al Baker says Qatar will not accept any early production aircraft because these will be heavier and will have performance limitations. But he believes Qatar can move up to 2011 slots without having to take any of these early aircraft.

He says last month Qatar was "about to send [Boeing] a letter of termination" but Boeing's response since his comments at Paris gives him hope the manufacturer may be able to provide the delivery slots and "other technical requirements" Qatar seeks.

"They knew that when Qatar Airways says something it's not just talk but we will follow it up with our decision," he says.

He would not specify what new technical requirements Qatar wants Boeing to meet, explaining they are confidential and customer specific. But he says they do not involve performance guarantees because these are already specified in the original contract. "We have very water tight performance guarantees they will have to meet or else they will have to keep on giving us cash," Al Baker warns.

He says if Qatar fails to provide the delivery slots and technical requirements it seeks the Qatar government's new aircraft leasing company could take over the order and remarket the 30 787s to other airlines. "Or we'll just cancel it to send a message to Boeing that they shouldn't mess around with customers," Al Baker quickly adds.

The Qatar Airways chief believes Boeing knew about the delays at Paris although it did not announce them until the following week. Al Baker also criticises Boeing for not taking steps earlier to mitigate the delays.

"Boeing has lost leadership. The mess of this programme should have been corrected a long time ago," he claims, adding Qatar had a better relationship with Boeing when Alan Mulally was still CEO.

"I'm having a meeting with Boeing here [Washington, DC] tomorrow. They will have to brief me exactly where this programme is," Al Baker adds.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news

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