BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., May 3 (Reuters) – Qatar’s Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim met with Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA – News) officials on Sunday to discuss possible aircraft sales, both sides confirmed on Monday.
Hamad said a decision about possible orders would probably be made by the end of the year.
Boeing confirmed the Qatar minister met with Alan Mulally, president of Boeing’s commercial jet unit, and its top salesman, Toby Bright, and toured the company’s wide-body jet plant in Everett, Washington.
Much of the discussion focused on the new 7E7, a fuel efficient mid-sized jetliner which Boeing launched last week.
A Boeing spokesman said the parties were still discussing potential aircraft sales and had not yet begun formal negotiations.
“The 7E7 would be a great fit for Qatar Airways’ market strategy,” Boeing spokesman Todd Blecher said.
Hamad indicated he would also be meeting with officials of Boeing’s rival, European-based Airbus (Paris:EAD.PA – News; London:BA.L – News) during the next few days.
Qatar Airways is growing fast, with plans to boost its 24-plane all-Airbus fleet to 56 by 2008. Last year the airline announced orders for $5 billion in Airbus planes, including the massive 555-seat A380.
But the carrier has said it was still considering Boeing planes for future expansion.
http://biz.yahoo.com/rc/040503/transport_boeing_qatar_1.html
By: Bmused55 - 5th May 2004 at 11:10
true but in this case you cannot ignore the political situation, politics act everywhere specialy when concerning USA, politics was the reason why Air India didnt go ahead with an all Airbus order.
Granted.
By: KabirT - 5th May 2004 at 10:46
Yes that is possible.
But not everything has to be political.If the 7E7 fits their needs, they’ll take it. If not, the bean counters will look elsewhere.
But I’d imagine Airbus are jetting a crack squad of salesman over to them right now to bash some sort of deal to prevent an order for Boeing A/C
true but in this case you cannot ignore the political situation, politics act everywhere specialy when concerning USA, politics was the reason why Air India didnt go ahead with an all Airbus order.
By: Bmused55 - 5th May 2004 at 09:58
Yes that is possible.
But not everything has to be political.
If the 7E7 fits their needs, they’ll take it. If not, the bean counters will look elsewhere.
But I’d imagine Airbus are jetting a crack squad of salesman over to them right now to bash some sort of deal to prevent an order for Boeing A/C
By: KabirT - 5th May 2004 at 09:50
So do I. They currently use the A330 on their longer routes.
A plane the 7E7 could well be used to replace
depends….. if those A330s are leased then yes they might replace them but if they were purchased by Qatar then i dont think they will be that hasty. But this can be to make USA happy too as Qatar is a close US allie.
By: Bmused55 - 5th May 2004 at 09:38
So do I. They currently use the A330 on their longer routes.
A plane the 7E7 could well be used to replace
By: KabirT - 5th May 2004 at 09:36
I am pretty sure Qatar will show an interest in the 7E7.
By: Bmused55 - 5th May 2004 at 08:08
Would be a nice coup if Boeing could secure some orders from Qatar.
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May 4, 2004 at 7:08 pm