Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways Orders Airbus A380s And A340-600s

11 January 2004

DUBAI - UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Qatar Airways has today signed a contract with Airbus for 14 aircraft including four firm orders and 10 options, a deal valued at US$ 3 billion.

The deal extends Qatar Airways' previous order to buy 34 Airbuses, worth of US$5.1 billion placed at the Paris Air Show last June, by US$1.2 billion said Qatar Airways' Chief Executive Officer Mr. Akbar Al Baker.

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 AI-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 operates the largest all-Airbus fleet in the Middle East, which currently comprises mainly Airbus A330s and A320 Family aircraft. It will become the first carrier in the region 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 Noel Forgeard.

Qatar Airways is the 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.

The Airbus A330/A340 family is the most modern and successful in its class, with the best fuel efficiency, the lowest maintenance costs, and the most comfortable cabin. It is the preferred choice of both full-service and low-cost airlines, as well as enjoying a consistent lead in independent passenger and operator surveys. Thanks to their fly-by-wire flight controls the aircraft offer full operational commonality with other members of the Airbus aircraft family.

Firm orders for the Airbus A330/A340 family stand at over 800 to more than 60 customers.

Airbus is a joint EADS Company with BAE Systems.