Qatar Airways has taken the delivery of its first 737 MAX 8, initially destined for Russian carrier S7. The aircraft left the Everett Paine Field on April 13 for its ferry flight to Qatar Airways’ base at Doha.
The aircraft was originally ordered by Russia’s S7 Airlines, but due to Russia’s delay in recertifying the MAX, the aircraft was sent into storage for three months from February to April 2023. Later due to sanctions imposed on Russia by the West following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the aircraft could not be delivered to S7 Airlines.
The latest B737MAX 8 will join Qatar Airways fleet of Airbus A320-200 aircraft. The airline operates a fleet of 29 jets with an approximate age of 13 years.