Qatar Airways has agreed a deal with Boeing for an order of 50 777-9Xs that was first announced as a commitment at the 2013 Dubai Airshow and was part of the largest product launch in commercial jetliner history.
In addition, Qatar Airways announced a commitment for 50 additional 777-9X purchase rights, which, if exercised, could take its 777X order tally to 100 airplanes, valued at around $40 billion at list prices.
The carrier also announced its intent to order four 777 Freighters and options for four more, with a combined value of around $3 billion at list prices.
“Qatar Airways continuously builds upon its successful fleet program, and this latest announcement demonstrates our investment in quality equipment to deliver our signature Five-Star service,” said Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker. “The Boeing 777 is a key component of our fleet and we look forward to building on this with the next-generation 777-9X.” For his part, Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner said his company is “honored” to see its partnership with Qatar Airways “grow and strengthen.” “Today signifies a new chapter in our relationship, with Qatar Airways’ endorsement of the 777X as well as their ongoing confidence in the value of the 777 Freighter. These orders validate the market leading role that the 777 and now the 777X will continue to play in the Middle East’s passenger and cargo market,” Conner said.
The 777X will introduce the latest technologies including the most advanced commercial engine ever – the GE9X by GE Aviation – and an all-new high efficiency composite wing that has a longer span than today’s 777. The 777X family includes the 777-8X and the 777-9X, both designed to respond to market needs and customer preferences.
The 777-9X will be 12 percent more fuel efficient than any competing airplane – necessary in today’s competitive environment. The 777-8X is 5 percent more efficient than its competitor at all ranges while providing for new network opportunities.
Design of the 777X is underway and production is set to begin in 2017, with first delivery targeted for 2020. To date, the 777X has accumulated 300 orders and commitments from six customers worldwide.
Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 17 years of operation, to the point where today it is flying a modern fleet of 134 aircraft to 144 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.
Last October 2013, Qatar Airways joined the oneworld Alliance, becoming the first Gulf carrier to join a global airline alliance, enabling its customers to benefit from almost 1,000 airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.
Source : Qatar News Agency
