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Published on October 26, 2007

It has ordered 80 Airbus A350s in a deal worth more than US$16 billion (Bt546 billion) and 22 Boeing 777s, with delivery of the latter beginning next month.

It has also ordered five Airbus superjumbo A380s, which are scheduled for delivery in 2010, about a year after the New Doha Airport starts operations.

Alan Chua, area manager for Thailand and Cambodia, yesterday said the airline achieved 20-per-cent passenger growth in its fiscal 2007, which started in April.

Marwan Koleilat, senior manger for commercial operations for the Far East and Australia, said the airline's load factor had increased to 95 per cent this year, from 75 per cent last year.

He said the number travellers kept increasing worldwide, particularly in Asia. The airline has experienced explosive growth in Thailand since entering the market here four years ago.

Qatar Airways currently flies to 79 destinations. Koleilat declined to elaborate on its planned new routes.

Although Singapore Airlines inaugurated its newly delivered A380 yesterday, Koleilat is not worried that travellers will switch to the rival airline.

Qatar Airways is seeking to maintain passenger loyalty after spending $200 million to create a premium terminal at Doha's current airport for serving first- and business-class passengers. The terminal features such facilities as a spa, jacuzzi, duty-free shopping, business centre and fine-dining restaurants.

Nitida Asawanipont, The Nation