A330-300

Doha-based carrier Qatar Airways is in talks with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus to purchase up to 15 twin-engine A330 passenger airliners in a deal estimated to be worth approximately $3.6bn at list prices.

The airline is considering Airbus aircraft following production delays of 787 and the grounding of its five 787 Dreamliners in January due to battery problems.

Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar al Baker was quoted by Reuters as saying that the carrier was negotiating with Airbus regarding a possible purchase of A330s in order to bridge the capability gap caused due to Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner delays.

It is a new order and the deal is expected to be finalised by June this year during Paris Airshow, al Baker added.

Qatar Airways noted that due to the grounding of 787 Dreamliners, it had delayed the launch of five of the 15 new routes slated to be unveiled this year.

In addition, Qatar Airways is also considering options for the purchase of more four-engine A380 superjumbo airliners.

The A330 line is fuel efficient, features flight-by-wire technology and advanced onboard systems that provide high-aerodynamic efficiency, it covers a range of 5,450nm with a maximum takeoff weight capacity of 240mt, according to Airbus.

"Qatar Airways noted that due to the grounding of 787 Dreamliners, it had delayed the launch of five of the 15 new routes slated to be unveiled this year."

In April, Airbus ramped up production of A330s from nine to ten aircraft amonth. The company had announced in January that it would consider options to increase the monthly A330 output to 11 aeroplanes.

In November 2012, the European aircraft manufacturer increased the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) capability of A330 aircraft to 242t and improved fuel capacity options for the larger A330-300 variant.

Fuel capacity was raised only for the A330-300, from 97,500l to more than 139,000l by activating the centre wing tank.

The total payload range has been increased by 500nm over the existing 235t A330-300 variant, and by 350nm over the current 238t for A330-200.

The A330-300 and A330-200 are scheduled to enter service in 2015.

Image: With the proposed purchase of Airbus A330s, Qatar Airways is seeking to fill in the gap caused by Boeing’s 787 production delays. Photo: courtesy of Fixion / Airbus SAS.

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