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Qatar Airways signaled it may still purchase widebody aircraft from Airbus (OTCPK:EADSF) (OTCPK:EADSY) in the future, even after recently announcing a landmark order with Boeing (NYSE:BA).
“There will always be a chance for another order from Airbus,” said Chief Executive Badr Al-Meer in a Wednesday interview with Bloomberg TV, though he emphasized the airline will closely watch how the market develops.
Last week, during a visit by U.S. President Donald Trump, Qatar unveiled a massive purchase agreement for 210 Boeing twin-aisle jets — its biggest long-haul aircraft order to date. The deal significantly strengthens Qatar Airways’ ties with the American manufacturer, potentially limiting Airbus’s chances of securing a comparable follow-up order for its A350 models.
Relations between the Gulf carrier and Airbus (OTCPK:EADSF) (OTCPK:EADSY) have been tense in recent years. A legal dispute over paint quality on the A350 led to Airbus (OTCPK:EADSF) (OTCPK:EADSY) canceling Qatar’s order for the A321neo, though that contract has since been revived.
Despite the widebody shift toward Boeing (NYSE:BA), Al-Meer noted that Airbus (OTCPK:EADSF) (OTCPK:EADSY) will remain central to Qatar Airways’ short-haul operations. As part of that strategy, the airline will abandon plans to integrate the 737 Max, which had been ordered during the A350 dispute but was never put into service.
Qatar is rapidly emerging as a major global travel hub due to its strategic geographic location, aviation infrastructure and ambitious tourism initiatives.
Hamad International Airport in Doha is consistently ranked among the world’s best, and offers connectivity to more than 170 destinations through Qatar Airways, which has recently expanded its fleet and routes to meet growing demand.
Additionally, Qatar’s significant investments in tourism infrastructure, cultural attractions and events like the FIFA World Cup have positioned it as a premier destination for international travelers.