Qatar Airways orders Airbus A380s and A340-600s

Qatar Airways has signed a firm contract with Airbus for two A380s and two options, as well as for two A340-600s with options on a further eight. The deal re-affirms previous commitments.

Deliveries of the Airbus A340-600s will begin in June 2006, and those of the A380s in early 2009.

Both aircraft will feature three class layouts - the A340-600 seating 325 passengers, and the A380s 460. Qatar Airways will introduce the 376 tonne maximum take off weight version of the A340-600, which will be powered by four Rolls-Royce Trent 500 engines. The choice of engines to power the A380s will be made later.

''We see a need for the A340-600 on our medium to high-capacity long-haul routes, as well as for the larger A380 on our most heavily travelled services,'' says Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al-Baker. ''And we look forward to the commonality benefits that our all-Airbus fleet will bring us in both cost savings and operational flexibility.''

Qatar Airways will become the first carrier in the Middle East to take delivery of the Airbus A330-300 in September 2004.

''We are always encouraged when a young and dynamic carrier such as Qatar Airways, which has built a strong reputation for passenger service, opts to grow and modernise its fleet with our aircraft,'' says Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer Noël Forgeard.

Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, with a fleet comprising 28 Airbus aircraft, currently flying to 46 destinations and planning to increase to 60 by end 2004.