Qatar Airways has signed a $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 five-year lease from GECAS.
Announced at the Paris Airshow in Le Bourget, 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 and General Electric engines for the A330.
In addition, a firm order was placed for two A340-600 High Gross Weight, to be delivered from June 2006 to 2010 and options for another eight A340-600 HGW were also confirmed. Rolls Royce engines were purchases for the A340-600 HGW and firm orders were also placed for two A321s, to be delivered from December 2003. Qatar Airway’s will also lease two A330-200s for five years from July 2004.
Qatar Airways is the launch customer for the High Gross Weight A340-600 aircraft that the airline will receive in June 2006. As part of this growth plan, Qatar Airways will extend its route network to 50 destinations by the end of 2003. It presently flies to 41 destinations. It has recently added Manchester and Rome to its increasing route network and will begin flights to Moscow in August. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
