As Qatar dumps an A320neo order one wonders if this is more bluster from Qatar or if this time the firebrand CEO really will turn to Boeing? Either way Qatar executives are likely to be demanding a myriad of reparations from Pratt & Whitney and Airbus.
Qatar Airways has canceled its first A320neo delivery following a war of words with Pratt & Whitney. Qatar might now cancel other A320neo orders if they too pass the contracted deadline for delivery with the “correct specifications”.
Qatar CEO, Akbar Al Baker has stated that his airline would soon start talks with CFM International and Al Baker has already held talks with Boeing for 737NG delivery slots that could be converted into MAX aircraft. Qatar is waiting on five A320neos and three A350s that are all delayed with Airbus for varying reasons. All of this follows Qatar’s pull away from becoming the A320neo launch customer last year, quite rightly due to the PW1100G startup time problems that have been extensively reported here.
It is certainly very hard to find a flaw in Akbar Al Baker’s argument – After all he is quite a few aircraft down this summer – But one wonders if this is part of the Qatar model – Get in right at the front of the order book where it is certain that niggles and delays to equipment will exist, then force concessions from the manufacturers and basically get the equipment for close to no cost. I can imagine that executives at airbus held their heads in their hands when Qatar was signed as launch customer to the A320neo.