Qatar Airways, one of the largest airlines in the Middle East, discusses with Airbus and Boeing a postponement of aircraft orders for several years, said its managing director Wednesday, quoted by the Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Post . " We are negotiating with them, so I don't want to talk about it, but yes, it will be postponed for several years, " said Akbar al Baker.
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The article does not specify the number of planes concerned or the duration of the postponement. Qatar Airways has ordered more than 200 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, the newspaper said. The general manager of Qatar Airways estimates that the air transport sector, hard hit by the coronavirus crisis, could regain color only in four years. The group plans to reduce its fleet by a quarter.
The airline, which has a 9.99% stake in Cathay Pacific, said it was ready to provide liquidity to the latter, the newspaper said.
