Aerospace Diary

AIN AIR TRANSPORT PERSPECTIVE  »  JULY 1, 2013 by    NEELAM MATHEWS A Qatar Airways Boeing 787 taxies toward its position on the static display line at Le Bourget. (Photo: David McIntosh) July 1, 2013, 10:30 AM Energized by the explosive growth in the Middle East air transport market, Qatar Airways has turned its attention to Scandinavia as it extends Boeing 787 services to Stockholm on August 1, to be followed a month later to both Copenhagen and Oslo. At the recently concluded Paris Air Show, Qatar Airways  CEO  Akbar Al Baker placed a firm order for a pair of Boeing 777- 300ER s along with options on another seven in a deal potentially valued at $2.8 billion at list prices. “When we say options, we always make them firm orders,” he said. “Options [simply] give us the flexibility of moving up delivery dates.” He expects delivery of the first two early next year. “The - 300ER  is a fantastic [aircra...

 Neelam Mathews Jan 17, 2013 Following instructions by both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States and Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority, Qatar Airways is implementing the Airworthiness Directive issued by the FAA for all operators of the Boeing 787 to ground the aircraft, effective today 17 January 2013, says the airline. Qatar Airways currently has five Boeing 787-8 aircraft in its fleet.  Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: “I previously stated that Qatar Airways will only stop operating our Dreamliners if we receive such an instruction from regulators. “In light of recent events surrounding the Boeing 787 Dreamliner worldwide, we are actively working with Boeing and the regulators to restore full customer confidence in the 787. “Qatar Airways will resume 787 operations when we are clear that the aircraft meets the full requirements of the Airworthiness Directive and our standards which assure the safety of our pa...

Neelam Mathews Jan 15, 2013 There has been much media speculation in recent days linking Qatar Airways with airlines in India, for which Qatar Airways would like to put the record straight, a spokesman told AerospaceDiary. Qatar Airways’ Statement: Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said: “Qatar Airways categorically denies it is interested in investing in Spicejet or any other Indian airline.This is pure speculation by individuals who deliberately want to spread such unfounded rumours to raise the stock value of their entities. “India is a huge market and a potentially lucrative one.  While we have expressed interest in expanding our presence in India, we will only be interested in any potential investment once we are sure regulations and laws are properly liberalised.  I can confirm we are currently not talking to any Indian airline.”  

Neelam Mathews Oct 9, 2012 As we reported on Oct 2,   http://aerospacediary.blogspot.in/2012/10/qatar-to-join-oneworld-on-oct-8.html  , Qatar  Airways is to join oneworld  alliance.                                                             Its election as a oneworld member designate was announced in New York – home of one world ’s central alliance management office – with senior executives of Qatar Airways and the alliance’s established member airlines in attendance. The Doha-based airline’s implementation into one world is expected to take between 12 and 18 months.   For those of us who missed the ceremony- here goes-

Neelam Mathews Oct 2, 2012 The buzz is getting stronger. Qatar Airways may soon become the first Gulf carrier to join the oneworld alliance, probably on Oct 8 in New York, Aerospace Diary learns. CEO Akbar Al-Baker has denied the development. Qatar Airways, has a fleet of 111 aircraft, with 214 planes on order, including options. Qatar's not-yet delivered 787 at the Farnborough Air Show- Wing waggle and more!

Neelam Mathews Feb 7, 2012 It may take a while to get back to good times, but if word is to be believed, the process is on. Aerospace Diary learns that Qatar Airways is burning midnight oil to get its papers ready. Once the Foreign Direct Investment proposal is cleared, it will pick up a stake (49%?) in Kingfisher Airlines. Generally, this would mean installing its own CEO, COO and CFO. This decision should worry its competitor Emirates that is presently referred to in close circles as "India's national carrier." Aerospace Diary could not confirm the news. Though one wonders what would have prompted Vijay Mallya to leave the IPL auction in Bangalore to take a flight last Saturday to meet up with the prime minister in Delhi? Aerospace Diary also learns this process will not go through seamlessly as one of the biggest competitors to Kingfisher has upped the antics to block the deal. Expect to hear more on “security concerns and the Middle East” in the newspapers in co...

April 8, 2011 Neelam Mathews Qatar Airways has appointed Marwan Koleilat as its Chief Commercial Officer responsible for all commercial operations. The carrier operates a fleet of 97 aircraft to 100 destinations.