
Qatar Airways, Boeing multi-billion dollar deal to power growth through 2045
Doha, Qatar: The recent aircraft order signed by Qatar Airways and Boeing marks a pivotal step in the airline's long-term fleet strategy until 2045, an official has said.
On the opening day of the Qatar Economic Forum, the Group CEO of Qatar Airways, Eng. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer underscored the primary reasons behind the selection and shed light on the airline's broader global ambitions, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.
'We started this process back in March and April of 2024. We created a competitive environment between Boeing and Airbus, as well as between engine manufacturers Rolls-Royce and GE, to ensure we secured the best commercial and technical proposals. It was a very close call at every stage, leaning at times towards Airbus, then back to Boeing, who provided us with a better commercial and technical proposal,' said Al-Meer.
The new fleet is expected to start arriving in May 2029 and will support the airline's growth plans for the next two decades. 'This ticks all the boxes for us to continue growing, expand our fleet, enhance our network, and to begin retiring older aircraft,' Al-Meer noted.
Despite industry headwinds, demand for Qatar Airways' services remains strong. He said, 'We are witnessing demand that we simply cannot cater to at present. Our load factors are at historic highs, averaging 85.6 percent, and reaching 95 to 96 percent in some sectors.'
Al-Meer emphasised that the new aircraft order reflects the airline's confidence in future market trends. 'For now, this is the order we have placed until we see how the market evolves,' he said.
The Group CEO also explained Qatar Airways' strategic investment with Virgin Australia, citing limited traffic rights to Australia as a long-standing obstacle. 'Australia is a key market for us, yet we were restricted to 21 weekly flights. Our partnership with Virgin Australia added 28 more weekly flights. This is a win-win for us, Virgin Australia, and most importantly for Australian consumers, offering them more choice and competitive fares,' he said.
Beyond Australia, Qatar Airways is also targeting the Far East, where demand is high but regulatory restrictions persist. 'While we have open skies with Europe and the US, we face bilateral limits in Asia,' Al-Meer explained.
'To create balance between East and West, we have developed partnerships with Virgin Australia, Malaysia Airlines, and other regional carriers.'
The official expounded that many airlines are opting to refurbish older aircraft to remain competitive. 'Smaller carriers are shrinking, and the stronger ones like us are capturing a greater share of the market,' he said.
Al-Meer also reflected on the airline's financial performance, which reached QR7.85bn ($2.15bn) in the Fiscal Year 2024-25.
'This April was the best in our history, and May is expected to set another record. With advanced bookings, we are confident Q1 will outperform the same quarter last year by a significant margin,' he stated.
Al-Meer added, 'We have taken calculated risks, expanded into new markets, and thought outside the box. While revenue grew by 6 to 8 percent, net profit jumped 28 percent, a testament to our team's ability to drive efficiency and unlock new revenue streams.'
© Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Khaleej Times
34 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Etihad Airways announces 4 daily flights on Abu Dhabi–Karachi route
More flight options for Pakistani travellers planning to visit the UAE or fly out of Abu Dhabi. Etihad Airways is ramped up its operations to Pakistan with a significant increase in flights to Karachi. Starting October 1, 2025, the airline will operate four daily nonstop flights on the Abu Dhabi–Karachi route, bringing the total to 28 weekly services. This move is part of Etihad's broader strategy to enhance connectivity across its global network, particularly between Pakistan and key destinations in the UAE, Middle East, Africa, Europe, and North America. This expansion increases the total number of weekly flights to Pakistan to 60, reinforcing Etihad's commitment to the region. The announcement comes shortly after the carrier revealed plans to launch new flights to Peshawar beginning September 29, 2025. Tickets for the expanded Karachi service are now on sale.


Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
Qatar begins world's largest 3D printed construction project
Qatar-based international construction and energy company UCC Holding announced on Wednesday that it has commenced the printing phase of the 3D Printed Schools Project, dubbed the world's largest construction project using 3D printing technology, in partnership with the Public Works Authority (Ashghal). The project involves the construction of two public schools using 3D printing technology, according to a UCC Holding press statement. Each of the two schools will span 20,000 square metres (sqm), bringing the combined built-up area to 40,000 sqm—forty times larger than the largest 3D-printed building constructed to date, the press statement said. The two schools are part of second package of the Qatar Schools Development Programme under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for a total of 14 schools. The agreement for Package 2 was signed by UCC Holding and Ashgal in March 2024. The two-storey schools are being constructed on individual 100 x 100 metre plots using two BODXL printers, supplied by Denmark-based COBOD. Measuring 50 metres long, 30 metres wide, and 15 metres high, the printers are among the largest of their kind globally—roughly equivalent in size to a Boeing 737 hangar, according to the press statement. Over the past eight months, a dedicated 3D construction team consisting of architects, civil engineers, material scientists, and printer technicians conducted over 100 full-scale test prints using a BOD2 printer at a dedicated trial site in Doha. These trials focused on refining concrete mix designs, testing performance under local climate conditions, and developing a customised nozzle for smooth material extrusion. In May 2025, the team completed an intensive training programme in collaboration with COBOD engineers, covering printer operation, structural layering strategies, print sequencing, and real-time quality control. The two schools are expected to be completed by the end of 2025, the statement noted. (Writing by SA Kader; Editing by Anoop Menon)


Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
Qatar's Ministry of Finance expected to award Al Wajba Storage consultancy contract in Q3
Qatar's Ministry of Finance in Qatar is expected to award post-contract consultancy services for the Al Wajba Storage Renovation and Upgradation Works Package in the third quarter of 2025, a source aware of the details said. 'The tender was issued on 22 May 2025, with a submission deadline set for 6 July 2025. The consultancy contract award is expected in the second quarter of September 2025,' the source told Zawya Projects. The Design-Build project, located in the Al Wajba area, is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2028, with an additional 400-day maintenance period. The project scope covers three main components: the QMA (Qatar Museums Authority) main storage area, Blue Room, and a new extension to the existing storage. The construction will take place in two phases: the first focused on the Blue Room and building extension, and the second on QMA storage renovation. ·Renovation and transformation of the existing Blue Room into a two-floor space with steel structures over an area of 972.8 sqm. ·A new building extension will connect to the current facility to expand storage capacity with an area of 993.52 sqm. ·Renovation and modifications of the QMA Storage area with covering approximately 1609.73 sqm The scope also includes basic fit outs and external works, such as entrance modifications, sidewalks, landscaping, and improved parking facilities. (Reporting by Deva Palanisamy; Editing by Anoop Menon) (