Answer was never straight, a news from October 2017 — Emirates jumped ahead of Lufthansa as launch customer of Boeing’s upcoming jet, the Boeing 777X, which the Middle-Eastern airline had orders for 150 of, worth over $76 billion USD. The order was announced at the 2013 Dubai Airshow.
The Dubai based airline had orders for 115 777-9s and 35 777-8s and was expecting deliver of its first ahead of the originally planned delivery time in mid-2020, which never materialized.
Now, came october 2018 , Qatar Airways claimed to be the global launch customer for the largest twin engine aircraft from the American plane maker.
The tag of initial launch customer for the Boeing 777X kept shifting from one carrier to another. Eight airlines had orders as "launch customers," but the first delivery customer remained uncertain for sometime.
Boeing had planned a fairytale launch of the new B777X. However, just before their event planning committee got underway, Boeing had to go through the consequences of their 737 MAX aircraft crashing in Indonesia and Africa followed by an industry battering Pandemic.
Though lufthansa was also the contender for the tag of launch customer in the past, current news confirms that Qatar Airways will definetely be a launch customer for Boeing 777X – as Boeing continues to cement its partnership with Qatar and its flagship airline.
If we speak of the current status , in an interview with Qatari News Agency The Peninsula recently , President of Boeing Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META), Kuljit Ghata-Aura, said
"Qatar is an important partner for the aircraft company and a purchaser of every part of “our business, either through the airline, as you mentioned, or through the Ministry of Defense and particularly Qatar Air Force (QAF)."
Ghata-Aura highlighted Boeing’s partnership with Qatar Airways, which dates back to the airline’s first order in 2006, adding that the relationship between the two entities remains strong, with QA being the launch customer for some of Boeing’s most innovative and newest products. In April this year, Qatar Airways took delivery of its first 737-8.
“We’ve been very pleased that they have chosen us as part of their growth story. We currently have around 120 Boeing aircraft in their fleet, with about another 130 on order. These include some of the most sophisticated aircraft we’re producing,” Ghata-Aura said.
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But for sure , Qatar Airways becomes the launch customer of the B777-8F, which is expected to carry about 110 tonnes of cargo, after signing orders for 34 aircraft with options for an additional 16 with delivery in 2027. The order from February 2022 was a conversion of 20 of 60 B777X of Qatar Airways previous orders.
“We were privileged to get an order for the 737-10 and the 787. Qatar will also be a launch customer for the 777-9 or the 777X and the 777-8 freighter. These aircraft are some of the most advanced on the market. They’re providing superior fuel efficiency, great reliability and flexibility."
"The 737-10 is the largest version of the Max family, with 230 passengers on this aircraft. It’s a very efficient aircraft in terms of emissions, and it’s delivering the best per seat economics of any single-aisle aircraft whilst also reaching 99% of the world in that single aisle class,” Ghata-Aura added.
Worth noting, the Boeing freighter deal took shape as tensions between Qatar Airways and Airbus continue over the Doha-hubbed airline’s A350 fleet, where both the leading aviation companies challenged each other legally in a London court.
Ghata-Aura also added that the newer Boeing aircraft models improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions by 15 to 25%. He told The Peninsula that the 777X, 737-10 and the 777-8 freighter are some of the most sustainable aircraft because each produces less emissions than the models they replace.
As per him , the 777X is touted to be the most efficient widebody aircraft in operation, reducing emissions and fuel burn by 10% and reducing noise footprint by 40% compared to the plane it replaced.
Ghata-Aura emphasised that Boeing advocates for sustainable aviation fuel.
“At the moment, operators are only certified to fly aircraft on a blend of 50% sustainable aviation fuel. We want to enable the aircraft by 2030 to fly on 100% sustainable aviation fuel.”
However , we wait here to see , if the first Boeing B777X aircraft flies with Qatar Airways ; or Emirates still fancies the tag of being the launch customer !
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