DOHA- Qatar Airways (QR) placed an order for up to 50 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft in 2022, comprising 25 firm orders and 25 options. CEO Badr Mohammed Al Meer confirmed the cancellation during a Bloomberg interview, formalising rumours that had circulated within the aviation industry for months.
The airline officially cancelled the order as part of its recently announced wide-body aircraft deal with Boeing, which encompasses up to 210 jets, including 787 and 777X variants.
Photo: Harsh Tekriwal | AvgeekswithLensQatar Airways Cancels 737 MAX 10 Order
Qatar Airways currently operates several Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, though these serve as temporary capacity solutions.
The carrier acquired these planes after Russia’s S7 Airlines (S7) could not accept delivery due to international sanctions. Qatar Airways (QR) plans to phase out these aircraft as well.
The airline maintains orders for 50 Airbus narrow-body aircraft, including 40 A321neos and 10 A321LRs. These aircraft will transform Qatar Airways’ operations by offering enhanced onboard products, with many featuring flat beds, and will significantly expand the carrier’s narrow-body fleet from 30 to 50 aircraft.
Qatar Airways’ initial Boeing order stemmed from a heated dispute with Airbus regarding the A350 aircraft condition.
The airline claimed Airbus A350 fuselages degraded at accelerated rates, while Airbus maintained the damage remained cosmetic. This conflict escalated to the point where Airbus refused to sell additional aircraft to Qatar Airways (QR) and cancelled existing orders.
Qatar Airways (QR) placed the Boeing order as a strategic response to Airbus’s refusal to deliver aircraft. The two European companies reached a settlement in 2023, which reinstated Qatar Airways’ Airbus aircraft orders and restored their business relationship.
The A320-family aircraft better aligns with Qatar Airways’ operational requirements than the 737-family. The A321neo offers superior versatility in product range, and Qatar Airways’ existing narrow-body fleet predominantly consists of Airbus aircraft, creating operational synergies.
Photo: Qatar AirwaysFuture Strategy
The cancellation reflects Qatar Airways’ return to its original fleet strategy following the resolution of the Airbus dispute.
The airline prioritises the A321neo platform, which it originally preferred before the temporary shift to Boeing during the manufacturer conflict.
Qatar Airways’ decision to cancel the Boeing 737 MAX 10 order represents a strategic realignment rather than a surprising development.
The airline returns to its preferred Airbus narrow-body platform while simultaneously expanding its Boeing wide-body fleet, demonstrating a balanced approach to fleet diversification and operational efficiency.
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Qatar Airways to Ditch Boeing 737 MAX 10 Amid Delays
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