QATAR AIRWAYS TAKES DELIVERY OF FIRST A320 FROM AIRBUS

Qatar Airways has taken delivery of its first A320 from Airbus – one of six scheduled for delivery in the next few years, for use on regional routes from its Doha base. Qatar Airways already operates leased A320s, which the new aircraft will progressively complement.

The A320 was handed over to Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker by Airbus Chief Operating Officer Gustav Humbert, at a ceremony held in Toulouse.

“Air travel is a fundamental need of trade and tourism and, despite recent events, we are confident of growing our business by providing it with modern aircraft such as the A320 that we have received today,” says Akbar Al Baker. “Passengers can look forward to the quality of our service and, with a young all-Airbus fleet, they can be sure of travelling in both comfort and style.”

In addition to flying A320s on Middle East services, Qatar Airways currently flies A300-600s on its flights to Europe and Asia. It is also a customer for the A330-200 – deliveries of five aircraft on order begin in 2002 – and for two A380s that it will start receiving in 2007. In addition, Qatar Airways is the first airline customer for the Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ).

“Qatar Airways has demonstrated vigorous and successful growth in recent years, and it has both the will and the means to keep expanding in size and scope,” says Gustav Humbert.

The Airbus A320 is the world’s most popular and successful airliner, consistently topping independent passenger surveys, as well as being an excellent investment with strong residual value.

Airbus’ A330-200 is also a clear leader, with unmatched passenger comfort, economy and range in its class.

Unprecedented in both size and modernity, the A380 that Airbus is now developing is rapidly becoming the craft of choice for the world’s airlines, as well as the only practicable way to cope with long-term growth.

Airbus designs, builds and supports the world’s most modern airliners. It is consistently winning about a half of large airliner sales - 100 seats and above - and currently has firm orders for some 4,400 airliners and more than 200 customers and operators around the globe. Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE SYSTEMS.