Order worth $1.7bn signed at Farnborough International Airshow
Boeing and Qatar Airways have signed an order for five 777 Freighters in a deal valued at $1.7 billion at current list prices.
The signing at Farnborough International Airshow was attended by the State of Qatar’s Minister of Finance and Qatar Airways Chairman, His Excellency Ali Shareef Al Emadi.
Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted to be further enhancing our cargo fleet and adding five Boeing 777 Freighter aircraft. In the past 15 years, Qatar Airways Cargo has grown steadily and globally, becoming the third largest in the world. We could not have achieved this success without our resilient relationship with Boeing.”
Qatar Airways currently operates a fleet of 13 777 Freighters and two 747-8 Freighters. With this latest order, the airline is set to grow its Boeing Freighter fleet to more than 20 aircraft.
We continue to see a resurgence in the air cargo market
Kevin McAllister, Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO, 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.”
Fewer stops mean significant savings for airlines
Boeing says it has now sold 65 wide-body freighters in 2018, and more than 180 wide-body freighters since the start of 2014, claiming a 98 per cent share of the market. In that same time, it has delivered more than 140 wide-body freighters, which translates to a 92 per cent share of deliveries.
The 777 Freighter is capable of flying 4,900 nautical miles (9,070 kilometres) with a payload of 112 tonnes (102 metric tonnes or 102,000 kg). Boeing says the aircraft’s long range translates into significant savings as fewer stops mean lower landing fees, less congestion, lower cargo handling costs and shorter delivery times.
