BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB
DOHA: Qatar Airways’ (QA) first A380 aircraft arrived yesterday at Hamad International Airport. It will begin its inaugural flight QR001 next month between Doha and London’s Heathrow airport.
A receiving ceremony for the world’s largest twin-deck passenger aircraft, also dubbed as superjumbo, was held in the evening in the presence and patronage of the Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Shiekh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Also present were the Minister of Finance and Chairman of QA H E Ali Shareef Al Emadi, Group CEO, QA, Akbar Al Baker, sheikhs, dignitaries, guests and scores of journalists from local and international media organisations.
“The arrival of the new super-jumbo marks a moment of great pride for Qatar and the national airline,” Al Baker told a press conference yesterday.
“QA has grown from strength to strength and is recognised all around the world for its excellence and high standards. This is thanks to the vision of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the Father Emir
H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani,” Al Baker added.
“Qatar Airways began operations in 1997 with just four aircraft operating to 14 international routes. In 2003, we placed our order for the Airbus A380 super-jumbo, and at that time we were operating to only 50 destinations with 28 aircraft. Today, as the A380 joins our rapidly growing fleet, we are operating 137 aircraft to 144 destinations in six continents.”
He said that the A380 will form the backbone of the airline’s fleet and support its strategy of facilitating predominantly long-haul traffic with high-density, wide-body aircraft.
Departing Hamburg, Germany, direct from the Airbus factory last morning, the plane touched down at 5pm to a spectacular ceremony at HIA, the airline’s new home, with more than 500 guests in attendance.
The aircraft’s seat pitch of 90 inches is the longest in the industry and it features bespoke interiors and a premium lounge on the upper deck.
Asked about the price of the super-jumbo, Al Baker, said: “We cannot disclose the actual price, but the list price is $380m. When we increase our orders for additional A380s we will demand further discounts.”
He added that QA had exacting specifications for interiors of the plane to match its luxury standards.
Asked if the company had any plans to go for an Initial Public Offering (IPO), Al Baker said: “QA has no plans for an IPO at least for the next decade, until all our expansion plans are
fulfilled.”
On competition in airfares from regional carriers, the CEO said: “We like competition. We appreciate that competition has made Qatar Airways a five-star rated airline. As far as pricing is concerned, Qatar Airways does not compete in prices, we compete in the quality we provide to passengers.”
THE PENINSULA
