NEW YORK: Qatar Airways’ top executive said the Middle-Eastern carrier wants to be a launch customer for Boeing Co’s forthcoming 777X mini-jumbo jet, and that the airline plans to open at least three new routes to the US in the next 12 to 18 months.
“We are very keen on the 777-8 and -9X aircraft and we are receiving presentations from Boeing in this regard,” Akbar Al Baker, CEO of the airline, said in an interview yesterday.
“We would definitely want to be the launch customer,” he said. “We hope to be one of the launch customers.”
But he said that since the aircraft has only been offered recently, “we need to go through the paces.”
Boeing said on May 2 that it had begun offering the new jet, setting up a ‘mini-jumbo’ war with European rival Airbus and its competing airplane.
Baker said he has no concern about folding wings or other novel design features of the proposed 777X. Boeing is considering folding wings to allow more airplanes to fit into constrained areas without airports undertaking expensive modifications, he said.
On Qatar Airways’ interest in ordering additional Airbus A330 planes, he said a possible deal is under discussion, but not close to being signed. Reuters
