Qatar Airways was among the launch customers at the official unveiling of the world’s newest and largest passenger jet, the Airbus A380-800 ‘super jumbo’ in Toulouse.
The airline plans to initially operate the A380 on its flagship European route between Doha and London Heathrow and other prime, high-density routes.
“Qatar Airways will proudly showcase this aircraft when it makes its maiden flight in our colours to the new airport in Doha in 2009,” said Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker. The New Doha International Airport will be custom-built for the new A380, he said.
Akbar Al Baker said the airline was proud to be one of the launch customers of the A380, which has been hailed in the aviation industry as an engineering feat. “We are looking forward to the arrival of this aircraft to join our existing all-Airbus fleet. It will provide the ultimate travel experience with spacious and comfortable cabins throughout the aircraft,” he said. “Though we are four years away from taking delivery of our first A380, we are already working on creating spectacular interiors to make it an experience of a lifetime for our passengers.”
European government leaders joined senior airline industry figures from around the world for the unveiling ceremony at Airbus’s headquarters in the French city for a first glimpse of the aircraft before it enters commercial service next year. British Prime Minister Tony Blair, French President Jacques Chirac, Spanish Premier Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder joined in the celebrations to showcase the A380 in front of the world’s media.
Qatar Airways has ordered four A380-800s, of which two are on firm order and two on option. The airline is scheduled to take delivery of its first A380 in 2009 to coincide with the opening of the New Doha International Airport (NDIA), the first airport in the world to be designed and built specifically to accommodate the twin-deck A380.