THIRTY Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, and 27 B777s-seven of which are B777-200 freighters - made up Qatar Airway's mammoth US$13.5 billion aircraft order announced at the Dubai Air Show.
The Doha-based carrier has options for another 30 B787-8s, and five B777s. The first of the B777s will be inducted into its fleet later this month. The freighters will follow in 2009 as Qatar looks to build up an efficient cargo hub linking Europe and Asia, supplemented by its regional widebody freighters and belly capacity.
Delivery of the 787s will begin mid-2010 through to 2014. "the 787 will form the core of Qatar Airways regional and medium-haul fleet from the next decade and its optimum size and outstanding fuel efficiency and economics will underpin the airline's profitability and competitiveness as it builds its hub at Doha's new international airport," said Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker. |
