Qatar Airways Nears Airbus A350 & Boeing 777X Order

Qatar Airways is edging closer to confirming a decision on the direction of its long-debated widebody order to boost its fleet.

The considerable aircraft will include almost 200 jets, and the decision will likely be officially revealed at the upcoming Farnborough Airshow.

The Farnborough Airshow is held every second year, and the 2024 edition promises to be jam-packed as airlines look to navigate industry challenges to push for a greater future.

Thanks to the show’s scope, airlines and other associated parties have the opportunity to announce landmark investments with maximum traction.

Qatar Airways believes purchasing new aircraft is important for the long-term renewal of the fleet. Furthermore, the order will cement the airline’s position as one of the leaders in the Middle East.

Unfortunately for Qatar Airways, despite its significant traffic levels, the region it calls home is also home to several other major players, from Emirates to Etihad Airways. Additionally, the establishment of Riyadh Air and Saudi Arabia’s heightened ambitions put fuel to the fire for the carrier.

Securing hundreds of new aircraft purchases will lock in deliveries well into the 2030s and ensure Qatar Airways has the latest aircraft to fend off competition and grow its operations.

According to Bloomberg and relevant sources, the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X are leading the charge for the latest top-up purchases. If a deal were to be secured, it would likely include almost 200 jets of a mix of the aforementioned types. However, the specifics of the jet mix have yet to be determined.

For Airbus, a purchase of the A350 from Qatar Airways would come years after the disputes that led to the groundings and delivery suspensions. Similarly, purchasing the Boeing 777X would be fantastic for the backlog of the aircraft that remains uncertified and has, at times, struggled to attract firm interest.

Boeing 777X To Replace Airbus A380?

Qatar Airways has long touted the Boeing 777X as the replacement for the A380. If certified, this aircraft would have eliminated the need to bring back the four-engined widebody following the pandemic.

The 777X is viewed as an ideal replacement due to its large capacity levels and significantly more efficient operations. Qatar Airways has long been critical of the A380, sometimes calling it its biggest mistake.

If the Boeing 777X accounts for a substantial part of the order book, the Doha-based carrier could look to dethrone Emirates as the largest customer of the widebody in what would be a landmark move.