DUBAI – In a joint press conference, Qatar Airways, Boeing and GE, announced an order 50 of the Boeing 777-9X variant.  Until today, the Doha based airline had no orders for the Boeing 777X aircraft.

Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai; Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed-Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation and chief executive of Emirates Group; Ali Shereef Al-Emadi, Qatar’s minister of finance and the chairman of Qatar Airways; Akbar Al Baker, chief executive officer of Qatar Airways; Tim Clark, president of Emirates Airline;  Jim McNerney, Boeing chairman, president and CEO; and David Joyce, president and chief executive officer of GE Aviation, were present during the press conference held on the first day of the Dubai Air Show.

Currently Qatar Airways a number of  a number of aircraft types, including 51 Boeing 777s – both Extended Range, Long Range and Freighters (37 are currently in service with the remaining pending delivery).

Akbar Al Baker Qatar Airways, Chief Executive Officer said: “Today, I represent Qatar Airways and its Board Members in signing a ‘Letter Of Intent’ for the purchase of 50 Boeing 777 - 9X aircraft, valued at US$ 19 billion at list prices”

“For Qatar Airways, the Boeing 777 is our flagship aircraft. It has been the backbone of the fleet. Operational on many of the routes Qatar Airways flies to, it is well admired by our crew and passengers alike; it is simply a fantastic aeroplane.”

“Since Qatar Airways started taking deliveries of Boeing 777s in November 2007, our fleet has been significantly enhanced, enabling the airline to reach a route map covering the entire Middle East and most of Africa; the Indian sub-continent, Europe, Asia Pacific, North and South America,”

“The Boeing 777 fits into the airline’s strategic growth plan and that is, to offer an extensive route map with optimal connectivity and ultimately – to be the airline of choice for customers, whether it is for long-haul, short-haul, business and / or leisure travel.”

Of the current 777 fleet, Qatar Airways operates a mix of passenger and cargo aircraft – 23 Boeing 777-300ERs, nine 777-200LRs (Long Range) and five Boeing 777 freighters.

Jim McNerney, Boeing chairman, president and CEO  said: “Boeing is very proud to have Qatar Airways amongst the launch customers for the new 777X program.  Qatar Airways has enjoyed remarkable worldwide growth in recent years and we very much look forward to continuing to support the airline on its path to further success in the future.”

This year marks the 13th edition of the Dubai Airshow, which runs from 17 – 21 November and is taking place at the Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), located in Jebel Ali, Dubai. Up to 150 aircraft will be on static display, featuring over 1,000 exhibitors. The 2011 edition of the show attracted over 55,000 visitors from around the world.

Qatar Airways operates a fleet of 130 aircraft to 133 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and The Americas.

Qatar Airways has launched eleven new destinations this year – Gassim (Saudi Arabia), Najaf (Iraq), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Chicago (USA), Salalah (Oman), Sulaymaniyah (Iraq), Basra (Iraq), Chengdu (China), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Ta’if (Saudi Arabia) Clark International airport (Philippines) – and Hangzhou (China) will begin on 20 December. On October 30, 2013, Qatar Airways joined the oneworld Alliance.