Qatar Airways To Receive Its First A380 By Early June

Qatar Airways will receive 13 of its first A380-800 in early June of this year as it prepares to move its entire operations to Hamad International Airport, the Doha-based carrier announced at Arabian Travel Market 2014.

“Qatar Airways is making news yet again with the newly opened Hamad International Airport and the anticipated arrival of the airline’s first A380 early next month,” said Akbar Al Baker, CEO at Qatar Airways.

“This is indeed an exciting year and a new chapter for Qatar Airways as we will move our entire hub operations to Hamad International Airport on May 27.”

“We also eagerly await the delivery of the world’s largest passenger jet and have no doubts that our new A380s will play a key role in our strategic expansion plans, and will help expand the onboard capacity – in the full comfort and luxury that our passengers expect,” added Al Baker.

Featuring a tri-class configuration of seating in First, Business and Economy, over two decks, the A380 is the largest passenger jet in the world.

Qatar Airways has planned to significant expansions to its fleet with 300 additional aircraft orders, worth more than $60 billion, which include 80 Airbus A350s, 13 Airbus A330 Freighters, 13 Boeing 777s (including freighters), 50 Boeing 777x, 60 Boeing 787s, 80 Airbus A320s Neos and 13 Airbus A380-800s.

Qatar Airways is also the first Airbus customer to receive the newly launched Airbus A350, a long-range, twin-engine, wide-bodied jet, designed for optimized fuel consumption, lower operating costs, and increased environmental efficiencies. The airlines’ first A350 was first showcased at the Singapore Air Show earlier this year.

The airline is also introducing a daily, all premium Business Class service from Doha to London. The new service is claimed to be the first of its kind in the Middle East and will begin from May 15, with an Airbus A319 aircraft fitted with an all Business Class, single aisle offering 40 seats.

Qatar Airways is also starting domestic operations in Saudi Arabia, and is set to launch its new airline, Al Maha, in November. Al Maha Airways plans to have 10 A320 aircraft in service within the first 12 months of operations.