Doha-based Qatar Airways is in “advanced” talks with Boeing to firm up a hefty order of Boeing 777X freighters, people familiar with the matter told Reuters on January 25, 2022.
According to the report, the proposed order of up to 50 777X freighters between Boeing and Qatar Airways could be finalized in early February 2022 ahead of the Qatar’s emir visit to the United States.
Qatar Airways has been looking for new cargo aircraft to replace its older fleet of Boeing 777 freighters since the start of 2021. The carrier has been deliberating between freighter versions of Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X.
During the Dubai Airshow 2021, Qatar Airways’ chief executive Akbar Al Baker indicated that Boeing had already made an interesting offer, raising the prospect that Qatar Airways could be the launch customer for a freighter version of Boeing’s new 777X passenger aircraft.
“Of course, I cannot tell you with whom we are going to place the order. But one thing I can say is that the proposal we have received from Boeing is very attractive to the airline,” Al Baker was quoted as saying.
Currently, Qatar Airways Cargo has a total of 28 freighters in its fleet, according to Planespotters.net. The airline’s fleet comprises 26 Boeing 777Fs and two Boeing 747 freighters.