Qatar Airways buys Airbus aircraft, Boeing' woes continue

Qatar Airways have signed a $5.1 billion deal for a variety of Airbus aircraft. The total number is 32 if all options are exercised. The deal means that Qatar Airways remains an all Airbus airline, despite having spent much time haggling with Boeing over wide-body 777s. This follows huge orders for Airbus aircraft from Emirates and Korean Air earlier in the show.

The deal consists of two A321s, eight A330-200s, six A330-300s (plus options on six more A330S),and two A340-200s, plus options for a further eight. Qatar is also going to lease two A330-200s from GECAS.

"This is the largest order of aircraft that Qatar Airways has ever placed and will increase our fleet from 24 to52 in five years," said Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Ak-Baker. "In particular the A340-600s will give us the capacity to introduce long haul services to destinations like the United States."

Deliveries of the A321s and 330s begin in spring 2004, while the A340-600s are scheduled for delivery in 2006.

Airbus CEO Noel Foregeard said, "This deal confirms the value and standing of our product range in the market."

Including orders, options and leases Airbus have been asked for 85 aircraft this week, while Boeing have been asked for 35, of which 22 have already been bought by lease operators.

The Qatar A330s will be powered by GE Aircraft Engines. The A321 models will have V2500 engines, with deliveries due to begin in 2004.

Rolls-Royce, the Trent 500 engine supplier for the A340-600s has won around $450 million as a result of the deal. The engines will be covered by a long-term TotalCare agreement valued at approximately $300 million. This takes the number of Trent 500 customers on TotalCare contracts to seven.

This is the first time Qatar Airways has selected Rolls-Royce power for its fleet, and delivery of the first aircraft is scheduled for summer 2006. The remainder of today's order will be delivered between 2006 and 2011.

Rolls-Royce will book a further $8 million as its share of the order for V2500 engines. The V2500 is produced by the International Aero Engines consortium in which Rolls-Royce is a senior partner.

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