Qatar Airways Signs Purchase Agreement for Five Freighters worth $1.7 Billion

London, July 16 (QNA) - Qatar Airways signed an agreement with Boeing to confirm a purchase order for five Boeing 777 cargo planes valued at $1.7 billion. At Farnborough International Airshow 2018, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker and Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin McAllister signed the agreement at the Boeing chalet with the presence of HE Qatar's Minister of Finance and Qatar Airways Chairman Ali Sharif Al Emadi, and a crowd of media and VIP guests gathered to watch this milestone moment in the history of Qatar Airways, which has seen its cargo division grow to become the second largest international air freight carrier in the world. Day one of the airshow kicked off with the award-winning airline committing to purchase five new CAE 7000XR Series full-flight simulators and two CAE 500XR Series flight training devices for the Boeing 777X and the 737 MAX from the global leader in training CAE. HE Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Al Baker, said: "We are tremendously excited to be back at Farnborough this year, showcasing six of the most technologically advanced aircraft in the sky. The aircraft on display here have set new standards of excellence in the industry, and affirm our commitment to providing our passengers with the finest experience possible. HE Al Baker added: "We are delighted to use the platform of the airshow to meet with our friends from Boeing to finalize the commitment we made to purchasing five 777 Freighters earlier this year. Qatar Airways Cargo is growing exponentially year on year and the addition of these aircraft will only serve to further strengthen its already robust performance in the cargo category. The airshow has also been an opportunity to meet with CAE to sign an agreement for six new flight simulators, which will give Qatar Airways pilots world-class training with state-of-the-art equipment." Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Officer, Kevin McAllister, said: "We are proud that Qatar Airways recognises the value of the 777 Freighter and continues to invest in this aircraft to serve its expanding freight operations. We continue to see a resurgence in the air cargo market and we are confident that Boeings industry-leading freighter family is well positioned to meet our customers' requirements." On the opening day of the airshow, Qatar Airways unveiled its first state-of-the-art Gulfstream G500 jet, which will officially join Qatar Executives fleet by the end of this year. Qatar Executive continues to grow its global reach, with an aim of serving worldwide destinations. As such, Qatar Executive is set to receive up to 25 new aircraft between now and 2022, a combination of the G500, G600 and G650ER jets, to be able to offer passengers across the world its exclusive and unmatched private jet experience. Qatar Airways currently operates 13 modern Gulfstream and Bombardier aircraft, including five Gulfstream G650ER aircraft, three Bombardier Challenger 605 aircraft, four Global 5000 aircraft and one Global XRS aircraft. Qatar Airways also includes business aircraft management, leasing and maintenance Fixed. Qatar Airways continues to expand its operations and network, and has launched services this year to several new destinations, including Argentina, Brazil, Patagonia, Suriname, Uruguay and others. In May 2018, Qatar Airways took delivery of its fifth Gulfstream G650ER aircraft, the fastest, ultra-long range business jet in the industry, making Qatar Executive the world's largest owner-operator of this jet type. The G650ER is renowned for its incredible 7,500 nautical mile range, industry-leading cabin technology and unparalleled passenger comfort. The division also recently announced that it will be opening a new dedicated office in Shanghai in coming months to help meet passenger demand in the market and provide enhanced service to its clients in Asia. Qatar Executive also recently announced plans to open a new office in Moscow later this year. In February, Qatar Airways became the world's first operator for the world's most technologically advanced aircraft, the Airbus A350-1000. Qatar Airways has recently launched direct flights to London Gatwick and Cardiff airport to allow 95 flights a week for passengers to travel around the world, including six daily flights from London Heathrow and 16 weekly flights from London Gatwick and Manchester, and daily flight from Cardiff, Birmingham and Edinburgh. (QNA)