Manufacturer says it reached order goal at show, but Qatar waits to sign order
Airbus claims to have achieved its goal of unveiling “triple-digit” orders for the A350 during the show despite the fact that its biggest deal for the new twinjet was not a contract, but the revelation by Qatar Airways that it was in negotiations to buy 60 of the new aircraft.
The Qatar situation unravelled through a bizarre series of “revolving door” press conferences, beginning with the airline’s chief executive Akbar Al Baker announcing the selection of the A350 over the Boeing 787, as well as plans to order 20 Boeing 777-200LR/300ERs and Freighters.
Neither Airbus nor Boeing officials participated in the Qatar event, prompting the European manufacturer to then hold what chief executive Noel Forgeard describes as a “spontaneous press conference” chaired by himself and John Leahy – but, unusually, without Al Baker present – immediately after.
Al Baker says that negotiations are under way with Airbus and Boeing, but “subject to certain important outstanding issues with each manufacturer”. For this reason, and the Airbus decision to delay the A350’s industrial launch, Qatar was believed to have decided against announcing deals in Paris.
According to industry sources, with Emirates having also dropped plans to announce an A350 deal at Paris, there was pressure on Qatar Airways to reveal its intended large launch order and a last-minute agreement was hatched.
Airbus revealed four other new customers for the A350 during the show – India’s Kingfisher for five, TAM of Brazil for eight, plus seven options, and leasing companies ALAFCO for 12, plus six options and GE Capital Aviation Services for 10. Combined with Qatar Airways’ 60 aircraft and previously announced commitments from Air Europa for 10 and US Airways for 20, the A350 tally reached 128.
- Amid speculation about the reasons behind the current leadership crisis at Airbus’s majority shareholder EADS, chief executive Noel Forgeard denies that he wants to run both companies.
“I can assure you that I never had an idea to accommodate the leadership of EADS and Airbus [together] because it is impossible even for somebody who would have much more capability than me,” he says.
Source: Flight International
