Qatar Airways CEO Flies Off Flightpath
Delays are one thing, lambasting them is quite another.
Akbar Al Baker’s bizarre salvo at Boeing underlines the reliance Qatar Airways has had with Airbus since its infancy and has rendered its ability to do business elsewhere a difficult task. (Click for video).
Cast your minds back to Farnborough 2006.
Qatar Airways had announced its first order for Boeing airplanes comprising 8 777-200LR’s, 9 777-300ER’s and 3 777 Freighters. At the behest of not “upsetting” Airbus, Qatar Airways demanded that Boeing rescind on its news announcement of the order. To say that the start of the Boeing-Qatar Airways relationship was not rosy is an understatement.
Al Bakers comments are simply bang out of order.
Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways at the order ceremony of the 787, Dubai Air Show 2007
Image copyright/owned by FleetBuzz Editorial.com
Yes, the 787 has been delayed. Let us also not lose sight of the fact that Qatar Airways is neither the biggest customer for the type or that they are the only carrier affected by the 787 delays, nor will Boeing cry should those orders be cancelled. It’s a buyers market and squandered slots will be snapped up by other carriers who also want that airplane.
The airline has had compensation too, so why “cry wolf” now?
Where was Al Bakers condemnation of this magnitude when he ordered his flock of Airbus A380’s, which are also delayed?
Deliveries of Qatar Airways A380’s were due to start this year. They won’t get them until 2012 (unless Airbus adjusts A380 rates again!). That’s a three year delay, similar to when it takes delivery of its first 787-8’s (i.e. three years later than planned).
For a devout Airbus man, his comments on the once flagship A340-600 took a 180-degree turn.
“We look forward to seeing passengers…on this [A340-600] wonderful aircraft,” said Al Baker in 2006.
Fast-forward to March 2009 and look what he says:
“If I could, I would throw them away. These [A340-600] planes are not efficient at all.“
The reality to Al Baker’s comments is that the front man for this state-owned, loss making airline is looking at any excuse to cut capital expenditure and conveniently use the 787 delays to secure his position at the helm of this “me too” Middle East airline and walk away from the deal.
Qatar Airways and its home hub of Doha has for 50 years, if not longer, played in the shadows of neighbouring arch-rivals of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. With Etihad and Emirates dominating the regions growth and traffic, the Qatari dream of usurping them is just that.
With Qatar Airways being the most heavily state-subsidised airline in the GCC region, Al Baker should think before he speaks. It is not Boeing that is run by “bean counters” - he should look to the real power wielding people at his airline and see that they are nothing but bean counters themselves - particularly since the ruling Sheikhdom sits in its place under the guard of US taxpayer money courtesy of Centcom and the Al-Udeid airbase.
Leaving all this aside, Al Baker should put his words into action if he means business. Anyone can run their mouth off pretending to be the big guy.
Just keep in mind that Al Baker has no more authority to cancel orders - or place them in fact - than Paris Hilton.
Fortunately for Boeing, they’ll be well aware that his comments at Le Bourget was solely to attract the attention of Airbus and how Qatar Airways fortunes are held to ransom by the success or otherwise of the A350XWB.
24 comments June 19th, 2009
