Qatar Airways announces $5.1 billion deal for 34 more aircraft

Qatar Airways, one of the fastest growing airlines in the world and the national carrier of Qatar, has signed a US$5.1 billion agreement with Airbus to purchase 32 aircraft in a deal that will increase the airline's fleet from 24 to 52 by 2008. In addition, the airline will be taking two new airbus aircraft on a 5-year lease from GECAS.

Qatar Airways’ Chief Executive Officer Mr Akbar Al Baker and Airbus Industrie’s Chief Executive Officer Mr Noel Forgeard announced the historic deal today at the Paris Airshow in Le Bourget.

Qatar Airways is the launch customer for the High Gross Weight A340-600 aircraft that the airline will receive in June 2006.

The deal includes:

- A firm order for 14 Airbus A330s, to be delivered to the airline from September 2004 to 2008.

- Options for another eight A330s.

- General Electric engines for the A330.

- A firm order for two A340-600 High Gross Weight, to be delivered from June 2006 to 2010.

- Options for another eight A340-600 HGW.

- Rolls Royce engines for the A340-600 HGW.

- Firm orders for two A321s, to be delivered from December 2003.

- The leasing of two A330-200s for five years from July 2004.

''When you are a young and fast-growing airline in a competitive market, you need additional aircraft to help grow passenger numbers and expand your network,'' says Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al-Baker. ''We are also building on a long-standing partnership with Airbus, and are looking forward to benefiting from the unrivalled commonality among its aircraft family.

Qatar Airways currently flies an all-Airbus fleet comprising nine A300-600s, an A310, two A319s, ten A320s, five A330-200s and one A340-200. The airline is also due to take delivery of two A380s in early 2009.

"It's always impressive to see a service-orientated airline such as Qatar Airways succeeding in the marketplace, and always a great source of pride and satisfaction to know that Airbus aircraft are playing a part in that success,'' says Airbus Chief Executive Officer Noël Forgeard. ''This deal also confirms the value and standing of our product range in the market.''

Qatar Airways has chosen an A340-600 version with additional payload/range flexibility via an increased 376 tonnes maximum take-off weight (MTOW). As with its other aircraft, Airbus will offer different A340-600 MTOWs, including today's 365 and 368 tonnes.

"This historic deal reflects the continuing confidence we have in becoming one of the world's leading airlines," said Mr Al Baker, "This is the largest aircraft order that Qatar Airways has ever placed and will increase our fleet from 24 to 52 in five years.

"The new order will give Qatar Airways the continued capacity to grow and serve new markets allowing us to maintain the quality of our premium product. In particular, the A340-600s will give us the capacity to introduce long haul services to destinations like the US." Mr Al Baker said.