BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB
DOHA: Flying with Qatar Airways (QA) may become relatively cheaper soon as the national carrier yesterday announced plans to reduce fuel surcharge keeping in view the significant fall in crude oil prices in global market.
This was announced by the QA Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker in response to a question at a press conference held for the global launch of the QA’s world’s first Airbus A350 XWB. “As far as reduction in fuel prices is concerned there will be no reduction in ticket fare (base fare), but there will be a reduction in the fuel surcharge that we charge on every passenger,” said Al Baker.
However, he did not announce any figure and other details when the decision will be implemented.
He further explained that ticket prices will not come down by the same percentage as the oil-price decline for the simple reason because fuel costs account for only a certain percentage of the airline’s operating costs.
According to industry standards, the fuel surcharge represents nearly one fifth of the total fare of a one-way ticket.
QA, being the global launch customer of the Airbus’ ultra modern and fuel-efficient A350, has become the first carrier to receive the extra-wide-bodied aircraft, which is scheduled to begin commercial operations from February 15 on the Doha-Frankfurt route. The press conference was held at the Premium Terminal of Doha International Airport, which was attended by over 150 local and international journalists. The Peninsula
Also in attendance at the meeting were Didier Evrard, Airbus Executive Vice President Head of Programmes and Eric Schulz, Rolls-Royce President of Civil Large Engines, both of whom previously attended the official delivery of the aircraft from Airbus to QA at a ceremony held in December at the Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse, France.
Al Baker said: “We are ready to commence operations with the A350 XWB and are delighted to introduce another level of service with our expanded fleet.
“The engineering design of the A350 XWB is modern, technologically refined and spacious, and we are proud to welcome yet another fine aeroplane into the Qatar Airways’ fleet.”
Following the press conference, media were given the opportunity to take a tour the newly inducted aircraft.
As global launch customer for the state-of-the-art airliner, QA will be the only airline to fly this aircraft type for the foreseeable future, and was a significant contributor to its cutting-edge design in partnership with aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, and engine manufacturer, Rolls-Royce.
The A350 XWB will comprise a two-class configuration with 36 Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, featuring 80-inch fully flat beds and 17-inch HD in-flight entertainment screens. Economy Class will comprise of 247 seats, each 18-inch wide in a 3-3-3 configuration, with up to a 32-inch pitch.
Each individual seat will feature a 10.6-inch in-flight entertainment screen, and more space at shoulder level for passengers in window seats, thanks to a vertical side wall panel design.
Over 70 percent of the A350 XWB’s weight-efficient airframe is made from advanced materials combining composites (53 percent), titanium and advanced aluminium alloys.
The aircraft’s innovative all-new carbon fibrereinforced plastic fuselage results in lower fuel burn as well as easier maintenance.
The Peninsula
