Carrier discusses order with Boeing but expects counter-proposal from Airbus, and also considers additional A330s
Rapidly expanding Middle East carrier Qatar Airways is preparing to place its next major aircraft order in a competition expected to pitch Boeing's 7E7 against the proposed Airbus A350.
Chief executive Akbar Al Baker says the airline is talking to Boeing about a possible order for 20 7E7s, plus options. However, the carrier expects an A350 counter-proposal from Airbus if the European manufacturer receives board authority to offer the twinjet, due this year.
The Qatar Airways requirement, which is ostensibly to replace its nine leased A300-600Rs from 2008-9, positions the airline as a potential A350 launch customer.
"We will take a decision late this year or early next year," said Al Baker, speaking in Toulouse last week at the handover of the airline's first of 14 General Electric CF6-80E-powered A330-300s. He says a decision in favour of the 7E7 would result in a firm order for a mix of long-range -8s and stretched -9s, split around 60:40 in favour of the larger aircraft. However, the -8 has not yet been fully defined despite having already been ordered by Japan's All Nippon Airways, while the -9 remains unlaunched.
Airbus has, meanwhile, not provided detailed performance data for the unlaunched A350.
Qatar Airways is also considering an interim acquisition of additional A330-200/300s as it has insufficient aircraft in its firm orderbook to meet its expansion plans through 2008.
Meanwhile, the US Federal Aviation Administration will audit Qatar's safety oversight provision this month as part of the airline's pursuit of approval to serve US destinations from 2006 using the A340-600 high-gross-weight aircraft, for which it is launch customer. Qatar Airways, which operates 36 Airbus A300-, A320- and A330-family twinjets and has an additional 36 Airbus aircraft on firm order, will introduce the ultra-large A380 into its fleet in 2009.
ANDREW DOYLE / TOULOUSE
Source: Flight International
