Qatar Airways could add 13 more destinations if aircraft deliveries pick up

Carrier could fly to 190 destinations, from 177 at present, chief executive says

Akbar Al Baker, chief executive of Qatar Airways, speaks at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. Reuters

Qatar Airways could increase its number of destinations to 190, from 177 currently, depending on aircraft deliveries from Boeing and Airbus, the airline’s chief executive said.

The Doha-based airline is experiencing a delay in the delivery of Boeing 787 and 777x aircraft, Akbar Al Baker said at the Arabian Travel Market on Monday.

“We were expecting a large number of 787-9s to be delivered to us this year … [but] the issues that unfortunately Boeing is having with the regulators … is delaying our deliveries,” said Mr Al Baker.

The US Federal Aviation Administration has increased its oversight of Boeing following two fatal 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019. Its latest challenge was a manufacturing issue on some of its 737 Max jets that threatened to delay deliveries.

In February, Boeing temporarily halted delivery of new 787 aircraft after the FAA raised concerns about a data-analysis issue. It resumed deliveries in March.

“Hopefully, the regulators will co-operate with the supply chain of Boeing in order for us to … get the aircraft,” said Mr Al Baker.

Qatar Airways expects to take delivery of A350s and A321neos from Airbus in the “distant future” after the two companies settled a dispute over A350 jets in February, Mr Al Baker said.

“We had an amicable settlement with Airbus and the aircraft deliveries that were cancelled have been reinstated.”

Visitors relax at the Air India stand at the Arabian Travel Market at Dubai World Trade Centre. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Performers entertain the crowds at the bustling conference. Chris Whiteoak / The National

First lieutenant Mohamed Ebrahim Al Suwaidi displays Dubai Police's Audi RS e-tron GT sports car. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The Dubai pavilion is a big draw. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Inside the Dubai pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Flydubai cabin crew member Federica shows off business class seats at the airline's stand. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A submarine in the seaworld section of the trade show. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Inside the seaworld submarine. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A basketballer publicises the NBA pre-season games between the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves in Abu Dhabi in October. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Owls and birds of prey are a big attraction at the Abu Dhabi stand at the Arabian Travel Market. Pawan Singh / The National

About 34,000 visitors are expected to visit Dubai World Trade Centre during the four days of the conference. Pawan Singh / The National

The Emirates airways stand at the Arabian Travel Market. Pawan Singh / The National

Busy halls at the Arabian Travel Market, now in its 30th year. Pawan Singh / The National

Visitors at the Etihad stand. Pawan Singh / The National

Mascots walk the green carpet at the conference. Pawan Singh / The National

The Iraqi Tourist Board's stand at the Arabian Travel Market at the World Trade Centre in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A visitor looks at an artwork at the Swiss Tourism stand at the conference, which is celebrating its 30th year. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A bald eagle at the Experience Abu Dhabi stand at the conference, which runs from May 1 to May 4. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Traditional Sri Lankan dress at the Arabian Travel Market. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Visit Qatar's stand. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The conference's theme for 2023 is Working Towards Net Zero. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Traditional Sri Lankan dress. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Model planes on display at the Saudia Airlines stand. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Qatar Airways, which owns stakes in airlines including Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific and British Airways' parent International Consolidated Airlines Group, does not have plans to invest in Air Serbia despite signing a codeshare deal with the carrier in January, he said.

“We have invested in airlines that have synergies with Qatar Airways in order for us to feed into each other [and] at the same time help the growth of both our airlines,” said Mr Al Baker.

The airline swung to an annual profit in the fiscal year 2021-2022 on the back of higher cargo volumes and surging passenger traffic, stemming losses that began in 2017 and worsened after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It posted a net profit of 5.6 billion Qatari rials ($1.5 billion), compared to a loss of 14 billion rials a year earlier.

The fiscal year 2022-2023 was “very good” for Qatar Airways, said Mr Al Baker, without providing further details.

Global passenger traffic rebounded to 15 per cent below its pre-pandemic levels in February, led by airlines in Asia-Pacific, which recorded the fastest growth, the International Air Transport Association said in its latest report.

Total passenger traffic worldwide increased 55.5 per cent on an annual basis in February, despite the uncertainties hanging over the global economy, Iata said.

Meanwhile, international passenger traffic jumped 89.7 per cent from February 2022 and reached 77.5 per cent of February 2019 levels.

Mr Al Baker said he was “excited” for the arrival of new Saudi airline Riyadh Air into the market.

“We will co-operate with them [and] we will support them because we feel that relationships matter,” he said.

“And, there's a lot of business to go around for everybody.”

Saudi Arabia announced the creation of the new national airline last month as the kingdom seeks to boost non-oil sectors under its economic diversification strategy.

The new carrier will be wholly owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which has about $620 billion in assets under management and backs strategic sectors central to the kingdom's economic diversification plans.

Visitors relax at the Air India stand at the Arabian Travel Market at Dubai World Trade Centre. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Performers entertain the crowds at the bustling conference. Chris Whiteoak / The National

First lieutenant Mohamed Ebrahim Al Suwaidi displays Dubai Police's Audi RS e-tron GT sports car. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The Dubai pavilion is a big draw. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Inside the Dubai pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Flydubai cabin crew member Federica shows off business class seats at the airline's stand. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A submarine in the seaworld section of the trade show. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Inside the seaworld submarine. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A basketballer publicises the NBA pre-season games between the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves in Abu Dhabi in October. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Owls and birds of prey are a big attraction at the Abu Dhabi stand at the Arabian Travel Market. Pawan Singh / The National

About 34,000 visitors are expected to visit Dubai World Trade Centre during the four days of the conference. Pawan Singh / The National

The Emirates airways stand at the Arabian Travel Market. Pawan Singh / The National

Busy halls at the Arabian Travel Market, now in its 30th year. Pawan Singh / The National

Visitors at the Etihad stand. Pawan Singh / The National

Mascots walk the green carpet at the conference. Pawan Singh / The National

The Iraqi Tourist Board's stand at the Arabian Travel Market at the World Trade Centre in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A visitor looks at an artwork at the Swiss Tourism stand at the conference, which is celebrating its 30th year. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A bald eagle at the Experience Abu Dhabi stand at the conference, which runs from May 1 to May 4. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Traditional Sri Lankan dress at the Arabian Travel Market. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Visit Qatar's stand. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The conference's theme for 2023 is Working Towards Net Zero. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Traditional Sri Lankan dress. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Model planes on display at the Saudia Airlines stand. Chris Whiteoak / The National