Doha, Qatar Airways advises that a news wire story issued yesterday by a news agency (Reuters) contained a misleading quote by the airline’s Executive Vice President Commercial Operations Mr Ali Al Rais. The quote implied that Qatar Airways was experiencing difficulty financing its aircraft.

The incorrect quote was identified by Qatar Airways, and the news agency subsequently removed the quote in updated versions of the article.

During a press briefing in Dubai yesterday attended by international media, Mr Al Rais took the opportunity to emphasise that the airline has solid financial backing and it maintains a strong commitment towards growth over the coming years, including current orders for more than 200 aircraft worth over US$40 billion.

Al Rais said that Qatar Airways enjoyed the full and firm commitment of its airline banking partners who are well known in the international financial markets. The airline’s expansion strategy will see brand new aircraft being added to the fleet at an average rate of one a month over the next few years.

The ambitious growth strategy of Qatar Airways is fully backed by all its shareholders including the Qatari government. The airline recently inked two deals worth US$500 million for the financing of three Boeing 777 aircraft in a move that clearly demonstrates the finance community’s firm support and commitment towards one of the world’s fastest growing airlines.

Source: Press Release (Qatar Airways)