Delivers First A380 To Qatar Airways Saying Airplane Is 'Ideal' For The Region

Airbus has delivered Qatar Airways' first A380, and has used the occasion to tout the airplane as playing a "major role" in the growing Middle East air transport sector.

According to the latest Airbus Global Market Forecast, air traffic in this dynamic region is expected to expand 6.4 per cent annually over the next 20 years – compared to 4.7 per cent for the rest of the world.

This strong growth will be enabled by the region’s ideal geographic location for connecting major urban centres around the world and the outstanding service level offered by Middle East carriers such as Qatar Airways, explained Airbus’ Head of A380 Marketing, Antonio Da Costa. “The A380 is the right aircraft to profitably meet these high growth factors,” he said. “Its unmatched double-deck spaciousness provides passengers in all classes with superior comfort, while delivering an outstanding 15,700 km. range, the lowest cost-per-seat in the skies today and the ability to add capacity on high-demand routes for carriers.”

With more than 30 percent of the A380’s current capacity deployed to, from, or within the Middle East region, Airbus’ Global Market Forecast projects a demand for some 345 very large aircraft over the next 20 years in this fast-growing area.  Qatar Airways has 10 A380 aircraft on order and is set to receive three of its first A380s in quick succession this year.

“With an already strong international network of over 140 destinations, we continuously look at expanding our global reach by introducing new routes, inducting more aircraft and also increasing capacity in our existing routes. The Airbus A380 will play a key role in our expansion decision-making process,” said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker.

(Image provided by Airbus)

FMI: www.airbus.com