(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Â Qatar Airways announced an order for nine Boeing 777 passenger aircraft worth QR10bn ($2.8bn) on the opening day of the International Paris Air Show yesterday, press statements by QA and Boeing said.
The announcement has been made for the Boeing's 777-300 ER (Extended Range) version of the aircraft. The additional aircraft will help the airline open up new routes and add capacity to existing markets in its rapidly-growing network.
The order for seven Boeing 777s will increase to 16 and boost its fleet of 35 to 51 aircraft.
"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 US," Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker told a press conference at Le Bourget, the venue of the air show. He was accompanied by Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO, Ray Conner, to announce the order.
"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," Al Baker said.
"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 has made a positive impact on our operations, now established as the flagship aircraft of our long-haul flying programme."
Of the 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 this month.
Al Baker said Qatar Airways is talking to Boeing about being a launch customer for a successor to its mini-jumbo, the 406-seat 777-9X. The airline is also looking at exercising options for a further 30 787-9 Dreamliners on top of 30 787s already confirmed, he said.
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