And the 'measuring' begins... or continues
Qatar Airways has finally announced its long held orders for Boeing 777s and 787s at the Dubai air show today, confirming a firm deal for 27 777s and 30 787s with options on 35 more.
The firm orders are worth $13.5 billion and all the aircraft will be powered by General Electric engines.
The 787 deal comprises 30 firm orders for the -8 model for delivery from mid-2010, plus 30 options, powered by GEnx engines. The airline has the option to switch to the larger -9 and proposed -10 variant.
This order was unofficially revealed at the 787's roll-out in July, when the Qatar Airways logo appeared on the aircraft's fuselage.
The 777 order has been on Boeing's books for over a year, but includes five new orders for 777Fs to add to the existing deal for 14 777-300ERs (the first of which is about to be delivered), six -200LRs and two -777Fs. The airline has also taken five 777 options.
Delivery of the -200LRs will begin in the second half of 2008 with the 777Fs arriving from late 2009.