Qatar Airways has placed a $2.8 billion order for nine Boeing 777-300ERs, it was announced today.
The agreement was revealed at the Paris Air Show and includes a previous order for two B777-300ERs, which was attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing's website, and a new commitment for an additional seven planes. Qatar now has a total of 16 B777s on order.
The Doha-based airline currently operates 35 Boeing passenger and cargo 777s of various types, including 22 777-300ERs, nine 777-200LR airplanes and four 777 Freighters.
Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways CEOfficer, 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."
Qatar Airways took delivery of its first Boeing 777 in November 2007. In September 2011, the airline received a 777-200LR that became the 100th airplane to join its fleet. The airline now has 125 aircraft.
Ray Conner, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said: "It is a great honour to have Qatar Airways operate the 777 as its long-haul flagship aircraft."
Last week, the first image of Qatar Airways' A380-800 emerged from the Airbus assembly line in Toulouse (see online news, June 12).
For more information, visit qatarairways.com and boeing.com.
Graham Smith
