+ A
A -
Tribune News Network
DOHA
Qatar Airways signed a purchase agreement worth $1.7 billion with Boeing to finalise the airline's order for five 777 Freighters on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow 2018 on Monday.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar al Baker and Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin McAllister signed the agreement at the Boeing chalet where a crowd of media and VIP guests gathered to watch the milestone moment in the history of Qatar Airways, which has seen its cargo division grow to become the second largest international air freight carrier in the world.
The airline also committed to purchasing five new CAE 7000XR Series full-flight simulators and two CAE 500XR Series flight training devices for the Boeing 777X and the 737 MAX from the global leader in training CAE.
The contract was signed by Qatar Airways GCEO and CAE Group President for Civil Aviation Training Solutions Nick Leontidis.
Qatar's Minister of Finance and Qatar Airways Chairman HE Ali Sharif al Emadi, Qatar's Ambassador to the United Kingdom HE Yousef bin Ali al Khater and Hamad International Airport Chief Operating Officer Engineer Badr Mohammed al Meer joined Baker at the Boeing signing ceremony and the purchase agreement signing between the airline and CAE.
Qatar Airways was the centre of attraction on the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow 2018, displaying six of its most advanced aircraft, including the Airbus A350-1000 and the Boeing 777-300ER, both of which feature the airline's award-winning Business Class seat, Qsuite.
The airline also displayed for the first time its Boeing 747-8 Cargo Freighter, as well as Air Italy's second Boeing 737 MAX 8 in striking new livery, Qatar Executive's Gulfstream G500 jet and the JetSuiteX Embraer 135 jet.
Baker said,"We are excited to be back at Farnborough this year, showcasing six of the most technologically advanced aircraft in the sky. The aircraft on display here have set new standards of excellence in the industry and affirmed our commitment to providing our passengers with the finest experience possible.
"We are delighted to use the platform of the airshow to meet with our friends from Boeing to finalise the commitment we made to purchase five 777 Freighters earlier this year.
"Qatar Airways Cargo is growing year-on-year and the addition of these aircraft will strengthen its already robust performance in the cargo category. The airshow has also been an opportunity to meet with CAE to sign an agreement for six new flight simulators, which will give Qatar Airways pilots world-class training with state-of-the-art equipment."
McAllister said,"We are proud that Qatar Airways recognises the value of the 777 Freighter and continues to invest in this aircraft to serve its expanding freight operations. We continue to see a resurgence in the air cargo market and we are confident that Boeing's industry-leading freighter family is well positioned to meet our customers' requirements."
On his part Leontidis said,"We are pleased to be Qatar Airways' training partner of choice and to support our airline partner's growth and training needs for its new Boeing 777X and 737 MAX fleet. The future of aviation and demand for pilot training in the Middle East is on the rise.
"This new training equipment agreement is a testament to our commitment to provide Qatar Airways with the most comprehensive training solutions for many years to come. We also look forward to supporting our partner with the entry into service of the new 777X aircraft."
Gulfstream G500 jet
Qatar Executive, the private jet charter division of Qatar Airways Group, proudly unveiled its brand-new executive jet, the Gulfstream G500, on the opening day of Farnborough International Airshow.
The G500 jet will be one of the fastest and most technologically advanced aircraft in the Qatar Executive fleet when it enters service later this year. The G500 cabin will also set new industry benchmarks as one of the quietest in the industry, as well as having the best cabin altitude pressure, allowing for unparalleled passenger comfort.
The all-new G500 aircraft will officially join Qatar Executive's fleet by the end of this year, and will mark the beginning of an agreement that was initiated in October 2014, between Qatar Airways and Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.
Qatar Airways CEO said,"We are tremendously excited to be unveiling our first Gulfstream G500 jet at this year's Farnborough International Airshow. With its many advanced features, this ultra-modern aircraft will enable us to offer our global clientele unprecedented levels of service.
"The G500 also demonstrates our commitment to continuing to expand the Qatar Executive fleet, in line with our accelerated growth strategy, enabling us to exceed our clients' expectations time and time again."
Gulfstream President, Mark Burns, said,"We are excited to join Qatar Executive as they showcase their first G500 at Farnborough. The G500 ushers in a new standard of business-jet travel for passengers and pilots, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Qatar Executive as their G500 aircraft enters service later this year."
The G500 is powered by the next generation Pratt & Whitney Canada PW800 engines, optimised for high-altitude, fast and long-range jets.
In addition to being one of the quietest and most efficient jets in the industry, the aircraft's remarkable range makes it capable of travelling non-stop from Istanbul to Cape Town; Los Angeles to London; and San Francisco to Tokyo.
The cabin contains the most advanced technology including satellite communications, high-speed internet, the Oryx One entertainment system, wireless local area network and Gulfstream's Cabin Management System, which allows passengers to use their own personal electronic devices to control audio, video, lighting, temperature, window shades and other cabin functions.
