Airbus to sign contract with Qatar on at least 14 planes: French transport minister
PARIS (AFP) – Airbus is to sign a deal with Qatar over the sale of “several” A380 superjumbos, 10 A330 and two A321 planes, French Transport Minister Gilles de Robien told French radio Europe 1.
“Later in the day, a contract will be signed at the Elysee with Qatar over several A380, around 10 A300 and two A321” airplanes, De Robien said, adding that the European aeronautics giant was in the process of overtaking its chief rival Boeing.
Airbus and Qatar Airways are to hold a news conference later in the day at the Paris air show after the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani meets at the Elysee palace with French President Jacques Chirac.
By: Saab 2000 - 19th June 2003 at 18:51
Qatar would not be in T5 unless they joined Oneworld as this I believe is the BA and co. terminal. The likely scenario is that T3 will be in usage as it is currently undergoing a major redevelopment in wake of the airlines such as Emirates, Singapore, Virgin, Qatar etc who will use the aircraft to Heathrow. They are not receiving them till 2007/2009 anyway so it is still a long way off.
An Airbus order is of no surprise, though Boeing was also considered strongly. The A380 will allow further expansion in Europe with slot restrictions in the future. The A340-500 was also ordered as well? Just another example of the flourishing Middle Eastern carriers.
By: robc - 19th June 2003 at 12:34
Well im sure Boeing will hit a big deal soon, like they did with Ryanair, and when it comes we will all be flabbergasted! well it could happen…
By: Hand87_5 - 19th June 2003 at 12:32
Here is an update with more details !
Thursday June 19, 11:54 AM
Qatar Airways approves deal for 32 Airbus planes
LE BOURGET, France (AFP) – Qatar Airways is to acquire 18 Airbus aircraft and has taken an option on 14, the Airbus consortium announced, describing it as the largest deal in the carrier’s history.
“This transaction, which is the largest in the history of the company (Qatar Airways), covers the purchase of two Airbus A321s, eight A330-200s, six A330-300s and two A340-600s,” Airbus said in a statement at the Paris Air Show.
In addition, Qatar Airways has taken an option to acquire six A330s and eight A340-600s, Airbus said.
The value of the firm orders was put at 2.6 billion dollars (2.2 billion euros) and at 5.13 billion when the options are included, according to Airbus.
The carrier is also to lease two A330-200 aircraft.
Airbus further announced it would deliver two A380 superjumbo passenger planes to Qatar Airways in early 2009 under terms of a previous accord.
The catalog price for the A380 is 275 million dollars. Airbus now has 129 orders and purchasing agreements for the A380, a long-haul plane that would be capable of carrying more than 500 passengers, from 11 clients.
Airbus expects to invest 10.7 billion euros in the development of the A380, which is to make its first flight in 2005. The A380 program was launched in 2000.
The Airbus communique was issued here as the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Kalifa al-Thani met with President Jacques Chirac in Paris.
By: BDPversion1 - 19th June 2003 at 11:06
Yet more good new for Airbus. When Boeing’s turn at recieving some???
Will the Qatar A380’s be used on the LHR route does anyone know? T5 is coming along nicely. I pass by everyday more or less to have a gander at it. I have recently seen some aerial shots of the construction work/site … very big piece of land they are playing with there.
At the momemt the site is just massive holes and a cranes spotters paradise. :p
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June 19, 2003 at 10:20 am