Qatar Airways firms up order for 2 Boeing 747-8Fs as part of $2.16bn spend

Qatar Airways has firmed up the order of two Boeing 747-8 Freighters and four 777-300ERs, which are valued at $2.16 billion at list prices.

The carrier says this is a sign of its continued expansion and contribution to the US economy, and adds to its fleet of nearly 100 Boeing widebody aircraft and its more than 100 additional Boeing aircraft on order.

The announcement was made at a delivery ceremony in Everett, Washington, where the airline also received the first of its 747-8F (pictured above).

Qatar Airways Group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker says: “Qatar Airways operates one of the youngest and fastest-growing fleets in the sky, and Boeing unceasingly proves to be a valuable partner to us in providing the quality aircraft that make us the world’s third largest international cargo carrier.

“We are very appreciative of our enduring partnership with Boeing, as it is key to our future growth, and we look forward to continuing to work with this important US partner.”

The carrier says the 747-8F gives cargo operators the lowest operating costs and best economics of any large freighter airplane while providing enhanced environmental performance, while it is optimised to provide greater revenue cargo-carrying capability than the 747-400, offering 16 per cent more cargo volume while keeping its unique nose door.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes chief executive officer, Kevin McAllister adds: “As one of the world’s largest international cargo carriers, it is heartening that Qatar Airways has selected the 747-8 Freighter to meet its growing cargo operations and to see the important role the 777-300ER continues to play in its long-haul fleet.”

Qatar Airways will start a range of new routes for the remainder of this year and 2018, including Canberra, Australia; Chiang Mai, Thailand and Mombasa, Kenya, to name just a few.

Qatar Airways Cargo is the world’s third largest international cargo carrier, and serves 60 freighter destinations via its Doha hub utilising 200 aircraft. It’s fleet includes eight Airbus A330 Freighters and 12 Boeing 777 Freighters.