Qatar boss forecasts robust demand

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar al-Baker has forecast robust travel demand for the rest of the year and said the airline would look to add more routes, depending on how fast it gets new Airbus and Boeing jets.

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Addressing the media at the Arabian Travel Market conference in Dubai, al-Baker said the total number of destinations could grow up to 190 from 177 destinations now, depending on the delivery of additional aircraft from the two manufacturers. The airline expects Boeing and Airbus to begin delivering soon.

Al Baker is eyeing a rapid and aggressive expansion timeline but increasing the number of destinations the airline services at present will now largely depend on how quickly the airline can get its hands on new aircraft. Unfortunately for Al Baker, ongoing supply chain challenges and manufacturing delays have created a worldwide shortage of new aircraft, although he is hopeful that orders will start to be fulfilled soon.

Qatar Airways is also experiencing delayed delivery of Boeing 787 and 777X planes. All these are now in the pipeline. We were expecting to take delivery of a large number of 787-9 aircraft this year. The 787 delays had been caused by unnecessary concerns raised by the US regulator," al-Baker noted.