Qatar Airways has confirmed the largest widebody aircraft order in its history, with firm orders for 160 Boeing 787s and 777-9s, and options for a further 50 aircraft.
There had been recent speculation of a large Qatar Airways deal with Boeing, and it was announced by President Trump during his visit to Qatar this week, before being officially confirmed by the airline.
The Gulf carrier has ordered 30 777-9s and 130 Boeing 787s – the largest order for Dreamliner aircraft since the widebody jet entered service back in 2011.
This is in addition to an unspecified mix of options for 50 787 and 777X aircraft.
The order also includes an agreement with GE Aerospace for more than 400 engines, which Qatar Airways says is the largest widebody engine purchase in the manufacturer’s history.
The carrier’s current fleet consists of around 250 aircraft, including around 50 Dreamliners and 60 777s. The airline also operates Airbus widebody planes including A330, A350 and A380 Family aircraft.
Commenting on the news Qatar Airways Group chief executive officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said:
“We are happy to announce our agreement with Boeing and our partnership in the largest widebody aircraft order in Boeing’s history and the biggest aircraft order in our history.
“This is a critical next step for Qatar Airways on our path as we invest in the cleanest, youngest and most efficient fleet in global aviation. This is so we can meet the strong demand in the airline as we seamlessly connect passengers to the world better than anyone.”
“After two consecutive years of record-breaking commercial performance and with this historic Boeing aircraft order – we’re not simply chasing scale; we’re building strength that will allow us to continue to deliver our unmatched products and customer experiences.
“We thank our partners at Boeing for answering the call and look forward to a future of continued smart growth together.”
Boeing recently celebrated the milestone of one billion passengers having flown on a Dreamliner aircraft, with more than 1,175 Dreamliner aircraft having completed nearly five million flights.
