Qatar Airways selects CFM International LEAP-1A engines to power its new fleet of 50 A321neo family aircraft

• LEAP-1A engines to power airline’s new fleet of 50 A321neo family aircraft
• Agreement valued at $4 billion at list price and over the life of the service contracts

DOHA, Qatar, 2019-Nov-14 — /Travel PR News/ — Qatar Airways is pleased to announce that it has selected CFM International LEAP-1A engines to power its new fleet of 50 A321neo family aircraft, the largest order of A321neo family aircraft in the Middle East.

Alongside the engine deal, the national airline of the State of Qatar has also signed with CFM International a rate-per-flight-hour support agreement to cover its entire fleet of LEAP-1A engines, including spares, for a combined total value of $4 billion at list price.

Qatar Airways has been a CFM customer since 2015 and currently operates a fleet of 38 A320ceo family aircraft, of which eight are CFM56-5B powered. The first LEAP-1A powered A321neo are scheduled to be delivered in 2020.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We chose the LEAP engine based on its proven efficiency in commercial operations. This engine addresses our strategy to operate a state-of-the-art fleet with the most advanced technologies in the industry, while expanding our network and maintaining flexibility for our customers.”

CFM International President and CEO, Mr. Gaël Méheust, said: “We are excited to take another step forward in our partnership with Qatar Airways. This is a real trust mark in our products, and we look forward to helping them introduce the fuel-efficient LEAP engine into their fleet to support Qatar Airways fast growth and maintain lower operating costs.”

CFM International’s advanced LEAP engine continues to set a new industry standard for fuel efficiency and asset utilization as the fleet continues the most rapid buildup in commercial aviation history, with the fleet logging more than five million engine flight hours through August, three years after commencing commercial service.

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Airline’ by the 2019 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, ‘World’s Best Business Class’, and ‘Best Business Class Seat’, in recognition of its ground-breaking Business Class experience, Qsuite. Qatar Airways is the only airline to have been awarded the coveted “Skytrax Airline of the Year” title, which is recognised as the pinnacle of excellence in the airline industry, five times.

Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of more than 250 aircraft via its hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA), to more than 160 destinations worldwide. The world’s fastest-growing airline has added a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network this year, including Rabat, Morocco; Izmir, Turkey; Malta; Davao, Philippines; Lisbon, Portugal; Mogadishu, Somalia; and Langkawi, Malaysia. The airline will add Gaborone, Botswana, in 2019 to its extensive route network along with Luanda, Angola; and Osaka, Japan, in 2020.

CFM International is a 50/50 joint company between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines. The LEAP engine family is the fastest-selling in aviation history with more than 18,600 orders and commitments, including spare engines, booked through August 2019.

Notes to Editors:

About Qatar Airways: 

Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is celebrating more than 20 years of Going Places Together with travellers across its more than 160 business and leisure destinations on board a modern fleet of more than 250 aircraft. The world’s fastest-growing airline has added a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network this year, including Rabat, Morocco; Izmir, Turkey; Malta; Davao, Philippines; Lisbon, Portugal; and Mogadishu, Somalia. The airline will add Langkawi, Malaysia and Gaborone, Botswana, in 2019 to its extensive route network along with Luanda, Angola; and Osaka, Japan, following in 2020.

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Airline’ by the 2019 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, ‘World’s Best Business Class’ and ‘Best Business Class Seat’, in recognition of its ground-breaking Business Class experience, Qsuite. Qatar Airways is the only airline to have been awarded the coveted “Skytrax Airline of the Year” title, which is recognised as the pinnacle of excellence in the airline industry, five times.

Qsuite, a patented Qatar Airways product, features the industry’s first-ever double bed in Business Class, as well as privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining seats to create their own private room, a first of its kind in the industry.

Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 160 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.

Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system offers passengers up to 4,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, B777, A350, A380, A319 and select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the award-winning airline’s on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.

Qatar Airways proudly supports a range of exciting international and local initiatives dedicated to enriching the global community that it serves. Qatar Airways, the official FIFA partner, is the official sponsor of many top-level sporting events, including the FIFA 2022 World Cup, reflecting the values of sports as a means of bringing people together, something at the core of the airline’s own brand message – Going Places Together.

Qatar Airways Cargo, one of the world’s leading international air cargo carriers, serves more than 60 freighter destinations worldwide via its world-class Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 160 key business and leisure destinations globally on more than 250 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet includes two Boeing 747-8 freighters, 20 Boeing 777 freighters and five Airbus A330 freighters.

For further information, please contact:

Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 4022 2200
Email:  qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa

Source: Qatar Airways

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