DOHA – Qatar Airways is reported to have begun the final countdown to the termination of its Boeing Dreamliner 787 order after losing patience over negotiations about delivery delays.
Chief executive Akbar Al Baker blasted Boeing during the Paris air show for taking too long to resolve unspecific “issues”, warning that it would “walk away” from its 60-strong 787 contract if they are not quickly resolved.
And that was before Boeing this week again postponed the first flight of its much-delayed 787 Dreamliner, because of a structural problem.
Boeing said the jetliner would fly by the end of this month. But last Friday, engineers determined that unexpected stresses they had recently discovered would hamper manoeuverability in the air.
“We have some serious issues with Boeing and if they do not play ball with us they will be in for a very, very serious surprise,” said Al Baker.
The airline has 30 firm 787-8 orders (plus 30 options), originally due for delivery from mid-2010.
In Paris Qatar Airways, which will launch its Australian services from Melbourne in December – signed an order for 24 Airbus A320 Family of aircraft.
