Qatar Airways orders Boeing 777s at Paris Air Show

LE BOURGET, France – Qatar Airways yesterday announced an order for nine Boeing 777 passenger aircraft on the opening day of the Paris Air Show. The additional aircraft will help the airline open up new routes and add capacity to existing markets in its rapidly-growing network.

The airline’s outstanding order for seven Boeing 777s will increase to 16 - and boost its current fleet of 35 triple sevens to 51 aircraft.

The announcement is for the 777-300 ER (Extended Range) version of the aircraft.

Addressing media at a press conference at Le Bourget, venue of the Paris Air Show, Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker said, “With its reliability, economics and range capability, the 777 will continue to play a key role in enabling Qatar Airways to operate more direct non-stop flights from our hub in Doha to destinations in many markets including Australasia and the United States.

“We have already shown a desire to open up new destinations in the US and the Boeing 777 will further feature in our expansion plans in this part of the world, in addition to increasing frequency to other destinations.

“Since Qatar Airways started taking deliveries of Boeing 777s in November 2007, we have quickly expanded this fleet, flying to key long-haul destinations to all parts of the world - Europe, Southern Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America - and selected cities in the Middle East. The 777 has proved popular with our passengers being an aircraft of choice and it has made a positive impact on our operations, now established as the flagship aircraft of our long-haul flying program.”

Of the current 777 fleet, Qatar Airways operates a mix of passenger and cargo aircraft - 22 Boeing 777-300ERs, nine 777-200LRs (long range) and four Boeing 777 freighters, with a fifth cargo plane set to be delivered to the airline this month.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Ray Conner said: “It is a great honor to have Qatar Airways operate the 777 as its long-haul flagship aircraft. The 777s’ unrivalled economics and customer-preferred passenger experience make it a cornerstone of Qatar Airways’ success.”