Qatar edge Frontiers June 2014 29 “Opening an office in Doha was a significant demonstration of our longterm interest not only in the market of Qatar but also in partnering with the nation in some of its aspirations for the future,” said Shep Hill, president of Boeing International and senior vice president of Business Development and Strategy. “I think we have been competitively successful there based on our products, based on our services and based on our growing local presence.” Within a half-dozen years of modern Qatar’s independence from Britain in December 1971, Boeing was delivering a 707-300 to the nation’s airline. Qatar now represents the 15th-largest market in the world for Commercial Airplanes, Johnson said. That is due solely to Qatar Airways, which is using new long-range, twin-aisle airplanes, such as the 777 and the 787, that can fly nonstop between Doha and much of the globe. In 2012 Qatar Airways became the first Middle Eastern airline to fly the 787, and it has 30 Dreamliners on order. In addition, Qatar Airways has ordered 44 777 models, including freighters, since the mid-1990s. “For Qatar Airways, the Boeing 777 is our flagship aircraft. It has been the backbone of the fleet,” Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said in a statement at last year’s Dubai Airshow as he signed the airline’s letter of intent to purchase 50 777-9X airplanes. “Operational on many of the routes Qatar Airways flies to, it is well-admired by our crew and passengers alike.” The airline has developed a PHOTO: Doha, the capital of Qatar, borders the Arabian Gulf. GETTY IMAGES
Frontiers June 2014 Issue
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