Qatar Airways’ first A350 on a recent test flight from Toulouse. (Airbus)
Qatar Airways says it will not take delivery of its new Airbus A350-900 this week as planned.
The airline made the announcement on its Facebook page on Wednesday, without giving a reason for the delay.
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“Qatar Airways announces that the Airbus A350 aircraft ceremonial transfer of title has been postponed until further notice,” the airline said.
“With the imminent launch of the new Airbus A350 program, both entities are committed to introducing the A350 very soon.”
The Doha-headquartered carrier was the launch customer of the Airbus A350 program and due to take delivery of the first Airbus A350 at Airbus’s headquarters in Toulouse on December 13, followed by a ceremony at Doha Airport.
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Qatar’s inaugural route with the world’s newest aircraft was scheduled for January 15 on the Doha-Frankfurt route.
Qatar has 80 A350s on order – 43 of the -900 model and 37 of the larger -1000 model.
Delays to aircraft deliveries are nothing new for Qatar, given chief executive Akbar Al-Baker pushed back accepting the airline’s first A380 for several months due to dissatisfaction with the aircraft interiors.
It may have something to do with the extensive runway repairs required after sections of it sank in the newly constructed Hamad Intl Airport. There are also quite a lot of older Boeing Aircraft sitting about unutilised so AL Bakker under pressure to justify new Aircraft
Nebs
says:
Not surprised. We booked a flight with Qatar this July from Melbourne to Paris specifically because we wanted to fly on their new A380, but it didn’t happen. Qatar refused us any form of apology or compensation. Their service and replacement aircraft were horrible too (example: my partner’s head rest came off midway through takeoff!)
iscover
Mannfred Mann
says:It may have something to do with the extensive runway repairs required after sections of it sank in the newly constructed Hamad Intl Airport. There are also quite a lot of older Boeing Aircraft sitting about unutilised so AL Bakker under pressure to justify new Aircraft
Nebs
says:Not surprised. We booked a flight with Qatar this July from Melbourne to Paris specifically because we wanted to fly on their new A380, but it didn’t happen. Qatar refused us any form of apology or compensation. Their service and replacement aircraft were horrible too (example: my partner’s head rest came off midway through takeoff!)