Over 200 aircraft worth $50bn on order for Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways

According to Qatar Airways’ most recent Annual Report, the airline has placed an order for over 200 aircraft valued at more than $50 billion. Qatar Airways, the country’s official carrier, was one of the few worldwide carriers that continued to accept delivery of aircraft between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021.

Qatar Airways acquired 14 new planes to its fleet last year, bringing its total to 205 passenger planes, 26 cargo planes, and 19 Qatar Executive jets (as of 31 March 2021). “With more than 200 aircraft worth over $50bn still on order (including options and Letters of Intent), our fleet and network continue to go from one strength to the next,” noted the Annual Report. 

“Whilst our competitors grounded their aircraft and closed their routes, we adapted our entire network to respond to ever-evolving travel restrictions and never stopped flying — fulfilling our mission of taking stranded passengers home on scheduled and charter flights,” said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, HE Akbar Al Baker in the Annual Report.

“We were able to do this thanks to our varied fleet of modern, fuel-efficient aircraft, and a strategic shift to becoming less reliant on our largest, four-engine aircraft — the Airbus A380 — in favour of smaller, more efficient aircraft, to serve passenger demand and increase the sustainability of our operations,” he added.

In addition to regular flights, the airline conducted over 500 charter flights, collaborating closely with governments and businesses all around the world to aid repatriation. Despite the rough times, the airline has rebuilt its network from a low of 33 destinations to over 140 destinations today, based on strong commercial fundamentals.