As a measure to control its fleet during this demand crisis on international flights, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Qatar Airways has decided to implement drastic measures to not receive new aircraft.
The first measure is to cancel an order for 30 737 MAX planes, as Qatar Airways now has no way to allocate these planes, as Air Italy closed.
In September 2017, Boeing indicated that Qatar had “20 737 MAX planes on order”. Now, according to Boeing's current backlog as of May 31, Qatar has ordered 30 and received 5 737 MAX aircraft.
In addition, deliveries scheduled for the period from 2020 to 2022 will be reallocated throughout this decade, in this case, to after 2022.
Qatar Airways is also working to delay future deliveries beyond 2026 as a way to reduce the arrival of new planes at the airline.
“Many (deliveries) will be delayed. We have already notified Boeing and Airbus that we will not receive any aircraft this year or next year,” he said. Al-Baker in the interview.
“AThe other aircraft we have on order that were supposed to be delivered to us in the next two or three years will now be pushed back to nearly eight to ten years.”, added Al-Baker.
Qatar also plans to reduce its fleet by 25% over the next two years, mainly considering enger aircraft.
Boeing was expected to supply the company with more than 80 planes over the next few years, including 30 787-9 Dreamliner planes. The airline has also ordered 50 of the new 777-9s, with options for 50 more. In addition, ten 777-8s would be needed.
From Airbus, Qatar has orders and letters of intent for 50 A321neo and 27 new A350s.
