Qatar Airways Update - August 2002

[A300Man]

Qatar Airways has confirmed that they will retain the "all-white" A300-600R leased into the fleet for another 16 months approx. The aircraft was initially leased-in to cover short term shortage. However, with excellent loads on all routes at present, additional capacity is needed to augment the new A330's already delivered this year. (the 2nd - A7-ACB goes into service this week).

The all-white A300 (reg. A7-AFA, formerly Qatar's A7-ABP) will possibly now be fully painted in the company's livery, given the duration it will stay in the fleet.

Further A300-600R capacity will arrive in August in the shape of A7-AFB, also arriving on long term lease and for use on denser routes.

This will bring QR's A300 fleet to a total of 8 aircraft from the end of August approx.

European routes are now operating at an almost full capacity.

[newswatcher]

From Middle East News Online(31/7):

"National carrier Qatar Airways has taken delivery of a second Airbus A330-200 aircraft at a ceremony held at the Farnborough Air Show in the UK recently. The new aircraft will be operated on the European destinations including Frankfurt and Milan, Qatar Airways said yesterday.

Qatar Airways had taken delivery of its first Airbus A330-200 in May. The aircraft is now being operated on regional routes as well as the London-Doha sector. The new Airbus A330-200 was earlier flown to Farnborough from the Airbus Industrie Toulouse plant in France.

Also on display at the Farnborough show was Qatar Airways Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ) A319, for which the airline was the launch customer.

Qatar's national carrier and flagbearer is also a launch customer for the Airbus super jumbo A380.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker said: "We want to showcase the latest addition to our fleet to the discerning visitors to the air show which is one of the most important fairs for the aviation industry".

Qatar Airways, as part of its ambitious growth plan, will raise an exclusive fleet of eight Airbus A330-200 aircraft, he said. Qatar Airways ambitious growth plan involves doubling its fleet strength from the current 16 to 30 and raising the number of destinations from 35 to over 60 by 2004-end.

Meanwhile, the $20mn work on revamping the arrival terminal at the airport is fast progressing, the airline said.

Qatar Airways, also the airport operator, will be building the new Doha International Airport, located to the east of the present airport, at a cost of $1bn.

The new airport will be ready before 2006 in time for the Doha Asiad that year, it said.

Qatar Airways has the distinction of operating an all-Airbus fleet. Currently the airline has a fleet of 16 aircraft, including 7 Airbus A300-600 R, 7 Airbus A320 and one Airbus Corporate jetliner ACJ 319."

[giza]

What do they use the 319ACJ for, is it really just an Amiri Flight A/C in disguise.

[MTQatar]

Thank you for the update A300Man,

Any info on where A7-AFB will come from? The freighter is c/n 614 and it has already been purchased. I didn't check from where it was bought but it is most probably from Korean or aquired from AWAS.


European routes are now operating at an almost full capacity.

You are right, but the first couple of weeks of the summer were still dissapointing although this was more than made up from the strong bookings after that especially in the cabins up front which performed better than last year. The real surprise though was Milan which I exptected be a flop especially since GF's load factors on the A320 averaged at around 20% but QR did reasonably well and the flight left full ex-MXP on a few occasions. I guess when the Augusta Plant opens in Doha the flight would get a boost.

Some more news I'd like to add:

- QR is looking to fly daily to MUC and FRA and 2 daily to LHR.
- CDG is scheduled for an increase of flights to around 4x weekly and the route has been a strong performer with good yeilds this summer.
- 4 weekly flights to MAN will commence on the 4th Quarter this year.
- BKK to be upgraded to daily service in a few weeks time.
- MNL to be upgraded to 5x weekly service too.
- Qatar Airways are also seriously considering a few more freighters to operate a network connecting Asia, the Levant and Europe and will do so with a partner. This is mainly due to the belly's of the Pax aircraft being maxed out.
- COK and HYD to commence in Mar 2003 and Sep 2002 respectivly but might be delayed due to shortage of equipment.
- QR firmed up an option for an additional A319CJ to commence scheduled premium services in the future.
- Two options were firmed up on existing orders and one more option taken out.
- There are rumours that a Qatar Airways A300 had an Emergency landing on a flight from Asia, I will try to confirm that next week.

giza
What do they use the 319ACJ for, is it really just an Amiri Flight A/C in disguise.

Currently it is wetleased to the government but it also busy doing VIP charter work. The second A319CJ would also be used on Scheduled services.

-MTQatar

[mutt]

MTQatar

The second A319CJ would also be used on Scheduled services.

Which scheduled route justifies this level of service?

Mutt.:)

[MTQatar]

Mutt,

London, Zurich and Singapore were mentioned on several occasions, the flight would run similar to Lufthansa's Service from Dusseldorf to Newark using PrivatAir's BBJ. IMO the service would only run a few times weekly to complement existing services during peak times, although the bulk of the A319CJ's missions would still focus on VIP Charters and the government wetleases.

[giza]

What aircraft do the amiri flight use now, I hear the a340 might be going, any idea where.

[MTQatar]

The Amiri Fleet Consists of: 1 A340-200, 1 A310-300 and 1 A320 the latter two are in QR's colourscheme.

The A340-200 is going to Col. Muammar Al-Ghaddafi and will be delivered in a few months. It will be temporarily replaced by an A330-200 untill the A340-500 arrives next year.

There is also another A330 coming in for the Foreign Minister and Part owner of Qatar Airways as a private aircraft.

[MTQatar]

I looked up the A300-600R c/n 614 and indeed it is from Korean Airlines, registration HL7298. Qatar Airways will also get 2 more A300-600F on top of that which will probably be conversions of the to owned A300-600R's A7-ABX and A7-ABY. The 3 freighters will eventually contribute 30% of QR's Revenues.

[Count von Altibar]

Does anybody know that if you join QR as a Captain on the A320 fleet can you progress to the A330 fleet eventually or is it kept for DE type rated pilots and Qatari national pilots? Also, is the pay fixed or is there a pay scale you can progress upwards year on year?

[A300Man]

Interesting News MT Qatar.

Welcome back to the forum. I note that you have been away for a while.

CDG loads have been particularly encouraging as you say. Let's hope that the same will continue.

QR teams in the UK will have their work cut out trying to fill up 18 flights per week from there, assuming that the LHR and MAN increased frequencies goes ahead.

I came in this morning on the QR2 from LHR. All full again!!! (except a couple of seats in "F"). Certainly doing well there these days.

Incidentally, the flight was the first ops. from the Uk on A7-ACB. By a strange quirk of fate, I have been on the two inaugural services from LHR of both the A330's. You could almost certainly still smell the glue and paint on this one!! And nice to see the CEO alone on the ramp at 06:30 to greet the aeroplane. This guy surely is dedicated!!

Didn't hear anything about an emergency landing from Asia. Do you have any more details?

Plus........check your e-mail please.

[giza]

Thanks MT, good stuff on the Amiri Flt.

[MTQatar]

A300Man,

QR teams in the UK will have their work cut out trying to fill up 18 flights per week from there, assuming that the LHR and MAN increased frequencies goes ahead.

Yes you are right, before Shave left he said to TTG that when they get the 2 daily's to LHR they want to have more destinations at the other end of Doha to offer more connections to make the service viable but honestly I don't think the slots will free up anytime soon. As for Manchester, they should be succesful in filling up Y-class but the route is mainly low yeild so I don't expect to see J or at least F with decent loads since the main market comprimises of South Asians living in or near Manchester. The route is succesful for EK but was a loss leader for Gulf. I geuss we will have to wait and see.

I have seen bookings to and from LHR and last year if you want a booking around October/November and make the booking this time of year the seats are wide open. I was surprised to find that this year the pre-sales upto early next year are quite strong.

Didn't hear anything about an emergency landing from Asia. Do you have any more details?

In my conversations with people in QR today it was not mentioned. It is either it never happened, or they were told not to mention it by the management.

BTW A300Man send me an email to my new address which I will email to you.


Count Von Altibar
AFAIK you can go from the A320 to the A330 with QR. The first A330 was manned solely by pilots who have moved up to the A330.

Giza,
Always happy to help :)

[Riscy]

For info QTR Amiri Flight consists of the following current and future aircraft:

1 A319-133CJ (A7-HHJ) MSN 1335
1 A310-304 (A7-AAF) MSN 473
1 A320-232 (A7-AAG) MSN 927
1 A340-211 (A7-HHK) MSN 026
1 A330-203 (A7-HJJ) MSN 487 (Delivey 9 Aug 2002)
1 A340-541 (A7-HHH) MSN 495 (Delivery July 2003) Replacement for the current A340-211

Riscy Info

The A319CJ is also used by the Airline (QTR) for charter VIP flights under the Airline AOC. Available for Charter if you have the money.

The A340-211 is available for sale.

[Riscy]

MT Qatar

Interesting rumour on the QTR first A300-600 Freighter aircraft. Here are the facts:

1. Aircraft A300-B4622R (MSN 614) currently operating and owned by KAL.
2. QTR purchased (paid the deposits) for the A/C.
3. Delivey end of Oct 2002.
4. A/C will be converted by EADS EFW in Dresden Germany into a Freighter.
5. A/C delivery and EIS end May/June 2003.
7. Registration marks A7-AFB

The current aircraft A7-ABX and ABY will not be converted into freighters as yet. If this to happen, it will not be before 2006.

The first year of operation of the first freighter A/C will determine if additional freighters are justified and these would most likely be used purchased aircraft (possibly ex-KAL) for commonality. The B747 is out of the equation for QTR.

[MTQatar]

Riscy,

The A340-211 has been sold to Col. Muammar Al-Ghaddafi of Libya, the aircraft sold for a very good price.

The first year of operation of the first freighter A/C will determine if additional freighters are justified and these would most likely be used purchased aircraft (possibly ex-KAL) for commonality.

It would make sense to purchase second hand aircraft since the aquisition costs are lower. I have a question for you Riscy, does QR have plans to wetlease freighters such as Emirates are doing?

[Riscy]

No, wrong the aircraft (A340-211) is NOT sold yet.

It is on wet lease to Libya, to be more acurate to AFRIQIYAH AIRLINES of Libya. Have you heard of this Airline (please look it up on the net). The aircarft is currently flown and operated (including cabin crew) by QR. QR also manage the flight dispatch of the a/c from Qatar.

You know QR cannot sell to Libya because of sanctions.

Leasing of A300 freighters will not be that soon. But remember QTR always prefers to dry lease and in such case will only go for A300-600 freighters with ONLY PW4000 engines for comonality, but there are not (if none) many on offer.

[MTQatar]

I was told that the aircraft was purchased by Ghaddafi by a QR pilot who also fly's the A310 for the Amiri flight. I can tell you the name privately. I don't know if his information is accurate or not but in the past he has been very accurate with QR's routes and fleet.

[MTQatar]

Also the A340-211 can overcome the sanctions since it can be classified as a "Gift" or "Private Purchase"

[Riscy]

MTQatar,

thanks. The same crew who were flying the aircraft in Doha are now on wet lease business. I am talking from authority.
If you know me you will never ever question what I say.

My kind and best regards

Do you know that the Libyan leader likes Green colors and that's why he loved the aircraft interior.

[MTQatar]

Riscy,

Sorry if I had unnacurate information. I always try to base it on what I get from pilots and the QR Corporate Communications Department, there are some members here like "Tom Cruise" who are also knowledgable abou QR.

I take it you are in Management?

[Riscy]

The A340 cannot overcome the US sanctions that easily.

The sancations are not those of the UN as Libya can now fly wherever they like. It is the US sanctions.

QR cannot sell directly to Libya. In the aviation business (and in particular financing business) this means the establishment of an SPC (a Special Purpose Company). QR will sell to the SPC, the SPC then leases the a/c to Libya. The owner of the SPC must not be Libyan but the money can come from Libya to pay for the a/c. The SPC must be under an ICAO jurisdiction......, etc..... for purpose of registration and airworthiness. If I go more, I will tell you my business :)

[MTQatar]

I was wondering if QR set up an SPC would they be under scrutiny from the US authorities?

[Riscy]

QR should not setup an SPC. It is the Libyan who should do it in the correct place.

[Riscy]

If you have read the exact written US sanction, you will see that even a fool go around it :)

[A300Man]

How many QR crews are in TIP manning the Afriquyah contract? Do we have cabin crews there too?

[Riscy]

Yes of course.

I leave it for you to calculate the number of crew required for a head of state aircraft on wet-lease :)

[A300Man]

On another point, clearly the US sanctions are written in such a way that it is DESIRED that even fools can go around them! Isn't that the whole point, whilst on the surface the issuance at first would appear to be covering all the necessary legalities and protocols to satisfy international calls.

The US and others have been supplying all manner of things into Libya even since the sanctions were imposed. There are a number of Libyan Purchasing Agents registered overseas (in places like Malta) who procure "banned" components.

Anyway, on another subject, I suppose it's quite sad to hear that CEO will be departing the 9th floor on a more permanent basis. I sincerely hope that the new man - whomever he may be - is as tenacious as AAB is!!!!

[giza]

Can`t believe the A340 is wet leased, can anyone working for the amiri flight confirm that. if so, how are you doing and how is life in Libya.