Qatar Airways sets sights on Australia, further expansion

Claiming that some airlines are "overreacting" to the current downturn with hasty reductions of their networks, Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker confirmed that the carrier's winter expansion will include its first services to Australia.

Speaking at this week's ITB Berlin convention, Al Baker said QR "is a robust airline, with a clear strategy, prepared for any crisis that may happen." It is taking delivery of 12 777s this year and will launch flights from Doha to both Sydney and Melbourne in November. Two 777-200LRs and one -300ER have arrived in the past month, he said, adding that he is unhappy with the performance of QR's four A340-600s. "If I could, I would throw them away. These planes are not efficient at all."

He also said that the carrier considered Bombardier's CSeries, which received its first firm order this week from Lufthansa (ATWOnline, March 12), but that any plan to add regional jets at this point "is now on ice." He claimed he was unable to get the price he wanted from Bombardier, "and we wanted a guarantee for performance, which we didn't get." Talks with another unidentified regional jet manufacturer failed as well. "This company, I will never call again in my life," Al Baker said.

Instead, he will "keep my mind open" about adding more A320s or 737s. QR also has been forced to invest more money in its A330 fleet owing to the delay in the 787 program. It hesitates to operate aircraft older than five years. It has 30 787-8s on order plus 30 options.

The airline expects to transport around 12 million passengers in the fiscal year ending March 31. It currently operates 68 aircraft (including eight 777s) and has the 787s, 80 A350s, 24 777s (including freighters), five A380s and eight A321-200s still on order, including options. Al Baker said it will be flying to 120 destinations (from the current 83) with 110 aircraft by 2014, at which time it also may choose to join an alliance.

On the network front, the 2009 expansion announced in Berlin also will include new service to Goa and Amritsar and two new routes to Europe that "are currently being finalized." Its Houston Intercontinental flight begins March 30 aboard a -200LR, and frequencies to eight cities will be increased on March 29.

"Sydney and Melbourne have been on our radar screen for many years. We can finally look forward to entering the Australian market with vigor as we will have the aircraft to serve this highly popular market nonstop from Doha," Al Baker said. Australia's Labor Party government recently reversed the previous Liberal government's stand that QR had to serve Perth, Brisbane or Melbourne for one year before gaining access to Sydney. QR's Indian network currently comprises 58 weekly flights to nine cities.