On Monday, the CEO of Qatar Airways stated that the airline has plans for rapid growth that could expand its current number of destinations from 170 to over 255.
However, the successful implementation of these plans hinges on the timely delivery of additional aircraft.
Qatar Airways to add New routes
During the Arabian Travel Market conference in Dubai, Akbar Al Baker, the CEO of Qatar Airways, stated in a press conference that the airline had plans to expand to 190 routes.
He also mentioned that there is a possibility to increase the number of destinations beyond 190, depending on the airline’s ability to acquire additional aircraft.
According to Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker, during a press conference at the Arabian Travel Market conference in Dubai, the airline has the potential to add up to 85 or 90 new destinations, subject to the delivery of additional aircraft.
The carrier currently operates on 170 routes and had previously planned to expand to 190 destinations, but there is still room for growth.
Al Baker mentioned that the airline expects Boeing and Airbus to begin delivering soon and that earlier delivery delays had prompted the airline to take a conservative approach to growth plans.
Aircraft Delivery from Airbus and Boeing
In March, Airbus reinstated an order for 73 aircraft from Qatar Airways, which it had previously revoked due to a legal dispute over damage to the surface of grounded A350s.
The dispute was settled in February, and Qatar Airways CEO, Al Baker, expects to receive the aircraft soon.
However, according to Al Baker, Qatar Airways is facing delays in the delivery of Boeing 787 and 777X planes.
He claimed that the 787 delays were caused by “unnecessary” concerns raised by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In February, Boeing temporarily halted delivery of new 787 aircraft to conduct further inspections.
Qatar Airways CEO over Riyadh Air and Fuel
Al Baker also expressed his willingness to cooperate with Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s newly announced national airline, and pursue potential codeshares or exchanges of technical assistance with them.
Although high energy prices have led to a $2.4 billion overspend on fuel. Al Baker stated that the airline’s load factors remain high. It is fighting with oil companies to increase the production of sustainable aviation fuel to bring prices down.
The airline is looking to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as an alternative or in combination with conventional fuel to lower its carbon footprint.
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