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Qatar disclosed as customer for B747-8Fs and more -300ERs
September 29th 2017
Qatar Airways has been revealed as the customer for two B747-8 freighters and four additional B777-300ERs passenger aircraft, orders previously unattributed in Boeing’s order book. Read More » The disclosure came no later than the day of the first B747 delivery to the airline, on Monday.
“As the world's third-largest cargo operator, Qatar Airways continues to invest in fleet expansion, with a second B747-8F due to be delivered in November,” airline group CEO, Akbar Al Baker, said at Everett delivery ceremony.
“We've already sold the capacity of two 747-8Fs,” said Al Baker, who added the carrier could order a third quadjet if demand remained robust.
Al Baker acknowledged the negative impact on its passenger business of Qatar’s diplomatic standoff with its Gulf neighbours, but noted the “opposite effect” on its cargo business, with volumes up 160% since the impasse.
“We were the bridge during the blockade," Al Baker said. "These two additional 747 freighters is witness to our perseverance.” Qatar Airways operates eight A330-200Fs, 12 B777Fs and a B747-8F.
The airline and its outspoken CEO aim to be the largest global cargo operator. “I'm sure you know I don't like to be number two or number three,” Al Baker said in Everett.
The four orders for the B777-300ER increase the airline’s backlog for the variant to 13. It has an in service long-haul fleet of 44 B777s, 30 B787-8s, 34 A330s, four A340s, 19 A350s and eight A380s.
