Qatar Orders USD$11.7 Bln Of Boeing Aircraft

Qatar Airways has ordered 30 787-9 Dreamliners and 10 777-300ERs from Boeing in a deal worth USD$11.7 billion at list prices.

The airline also signed a letter of intent for up to 60 737 MAX 8s, an order worth USD$6.9 billion at list prices.

Qatar Airways' currently operates 84 Boeing aircraft, mostly 777-300ERs and 787-8s.

Qatar Airways’ chief executive Akbar Al Baker said "Boeing has proven to be a valuable partner, and today's announcement is testament to our appreciation of the quality of their product".

Qatar’s potential switch to the 737 MAX 8 comes after the airline refused to accept the first Airbus A320neo scheduled for delivery in December last year.

In February Qatar threatened to cancel its order for Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan engines for the 50 A320neo-family aircraft it has on order. The airline said at the time the engines had "a lot of problems".