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James Wallace talks about the Qatar and pending US Airways order
By IAG | April 26th, 2007 | Posted in 787, a350, airbus, boeing, qatar, US Airways | No CommentsQatar Airways gets Australian Rights
By IAG | March 16th, 2007 | Posted in a380, gulf, qantas, qatar | No CommentsQatar has been given access to Melbourne. Transport Minister Mark Vaile said under the new air services arrangement with Qatar, Qatar Airways will also have the right to operate a second daily flight to another Australian city from 2008 as Australia increases access rights for Middle East airlines.
Qatar Airways rival Emirates, the largest Arab airline, is expanding routes to Australia and Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways will also launch services to Australia later this month. "Around 20 airlines currently already fly these routes over a range of hubs, and with yet more capacity coming into the market, Qantas will have no option but to achieve further cost savings if it is to remain competitive," Qantas Chief Executive Geoff Dixon said in a statement.
All this information is missing the key data point. The Gulf carriers will be flying their A380s into Australia as fast as they can get them. Qantas simply cannot respond. Moreover, with Qantas likely to be privately owned, the Australian state feels less compelled to protect the airline. Which it has done for years.
The Kangaroo Route between Australia and London is very attractive to the Gulf carriers and Emirates has even mused about an LCC version of the A380 being able to offer $400 fares between Sydney and London. This is going to be a huge cat fight. We expect Qantas to play its xenophobia card and wrap itself in the Australian flag. Problem is that Australians are as savvy consumers as anywhere else. They will most likely go with the best deal. The one item nobody dare dismiss is this – Qantas has a spotless safety record; and flights to and from Australia are very long hauls. If any Gulf airline so much as scratches a plane, Aussies will flock back to Qantas.
Qatar Airways gets Australian Rights
By IAG | March 16th, 2007 | Posted in a380, gulf, qantas, qatar | No CommentsQatar has been given access to Melbourne. Transport Minister Mark Vaile said under the new air services arrangement with Qatar, Qatar Airways will also have the right to operate a second daily flight to another Australian city from 2008 as Australia increases access rights for Middle East airlines.
Qatar Airways rival Emirates, the largest Arab airline, is expanding routes to Australia and Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways will also launch services to Australia later this month. "Around 20 airlines currently already fly these routes over a range of hubs, and with yet more capacity coming into the market, Qantas will have no option but to achieve further cost savings if it is to remain competitive," Qantas Chief Executive Geoff Dixon said in a statement.
All this information is missing the key data point. The Gulf carriers will be flying their A380s into Australia as fast as they can get them. Qantas simply cannot respond. Moreover, with Qantas likely to be privately owned, the Australian state feels less compelled to protect the airline. Which it has done for years.
The Kangaroo Route between Australia and London is very attractive to the Gulf carriers and Emirates has even mused about an LCC version of the A380 being able to offer $400 fares between Sydney and London. This is going to be a huge cat fight. We expect Qantas to play its xenophobia card and wrap itself in the Australian flag. Problem is that Australians are as savvy consumers as anywhere else. They will most likely go with the best deal. The one item nobody dare dismiss is this – Qantas has a spotless safety record; and flights to and from Australia are very long hauls. If any Gulf airline so much as scratches a plane, Aussies will flock back to Qantas.
Qatar backs up its interest in EADS
By IAG | March 15th, 2007 | Posted in a350, airbus, eads, qatar | No CommentsThe story has been bubbling for weeks. Qatar wants to invest in EADS by taking a 10% stake. Now this has been followed up with a massive order. Reports indicate that Qatar Airways is about to announce an order for the beleaguered A350 – by signing an LOI for 80 planes. This is truly a monster order and worth $16b.Not that Qatar is going to pay anything close to sticker price. The formal signing is likely to take place at the Paris air show in June. Qatar is planning to include orders for all three versions of the A350 including 20 of the A350-1000, the biggest version at around 350 seats.
Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways chief executive said the airline, which had previously announced firm orders for two A380s, would definitely convert its options for two more A380s into firm orders, and it was also discussing internally additional A380 orders. Ambitious don't you think?
But wait, there's more. The other shoe has to drop. This deal is going to make the folks in Dubai's aviation world sit up and pay attention. There is another ambitious crowd over there that does not like playing second fiddle to anyone. Note that Qatar has the first delivery in 2013 of the A350 and Al Baker said that it was written into the contract that Qatar Airways would be the launch customer. Aviation in the Gulf is fast becoming more than a commercial enterprise; its now also a foreign policy tool, an industrial investment policy and flat out hubris. The next move by the Al Maktoum family in Dubai will be interesting. How many slots does Boeing have for 787s we are wondering?
Qatar backs up its interest in EADS
By IAG | March 15th, 2007 | Posted in a350, airbus, eads, qatar | 1 CommentThe story has been bubbling for weeks. Qatar wants to invest in EADS by taking a 10% stake. Now this has been followed up with a massive order. Reports indicate that Qatar Airways is about to announce an order for the beleaguered A350 – by signing an LOI for 80 planes. This is truly a monster order and worth $16b.Not that Qatar is going to pay anything close to sticker price. The formal signing is likely to take place at the Paris air show in June. Qatar is planning to include orders for all three versions of the A350 including 20 of the A350-1000, the biggest version at around 350 seats.
Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways chief executive said the airline, which had previously announced firm orders for two A380s, would definitely convert its options for two more A380s into firm orders, and it was also discussing internally additional A380 orders. Ambitious don't you think?
But wait, there's more. The other shoe has to drop. This deal is going to make the folks in Dubai's aviation world sit up and pay attention. There is another ambitious crowd over there that does not like playing second fiddle to anyone. Note that Qatar has the first delivery in 2013 of the A350 and Al Baker said that it was written into the contract that Qatar Airways would be the launch customer. Aviation in the Gulf is fast becoming more than a commercial enterprise; its now also a foreign policy tool, an industrial investment policy and flat out hubris. The next move by the Al Maktoum family in Dubai will be interesting. How many slots does Boeing have for 787s we are wondering?
EADS and Qatar getting together?
By IAG | February 18th, 2007 | Posted in 787, a350, a380, airbus, aviation, british airways, eads, emirates, qatar | No CommentsHot rumor coming out from Europe and Middle East that Qatar is about to take a 10% stake in EADS. Apparently news might break by 3pm PST today.
This will secure Qatar Airways' A350 and A380 orders, and displace Emirates as the key Airbus customer in the Middle East. (Nice move) Obviously it provides EADS with much-needed funds and opens up a new financial channel for future capital – potentially blocking the Russians? This infusion helps offset bad news from the upcoming EADS 2006 results. Spin on this story is going to be awesome.
The Franco-German balance should be stable although we understand influence is swinging towards Germany. This infusion of capital might mitigate against the harsher elements of Power 8. But that depends on an announcement today or at least before the February 22.
We expect EADS' share price to jump tomorrow – the US markets are closed.
There is a quid pro quo of course. EADS and Airbus will irritate Emirates with this move and so virtually guarantee Emirates will select the 787 rather than the A350 for its upcoming 100-aircraft order. We understand that Emirates might be incensed enough to make a bid for British Airways. This has been rumored often over the past six months. Clearly such a move ruins any sales campaign at BA for Airbus for a very long time. Fascinating times as the dust clears and we see where everyone stands.
EADS and Qatar getting together?
By IAG | February 18th, 2007 | Posted in 787, a350, a380, airbus, aviation, british airways, eads, emirates, qatar | 1 CommentHot rumor coming out from Europe and Middle East that Qatar is about to take a 10% stake in EADS. Apparently news might break by 3pm PST today.
This will secure Qatar Airways' A350 and A380 orders, and displace Emirates as the key Airbus customer in the Middle East. (Nice move) Obviously it provides EADS with much-needed funds and opens up a new financial channel for future capital – potentially blocking the Russians? This infusion helps offset bad news from the upcoming EADS 2006 results. Spin on this story is going to be awesome.
The Franco-German balance should be stable although we understand influence is swinging towards Germany. This infusion of capital might mitigate against the harsher elements of Power 8. But that depends on an announcement today or at least before the February 22.
We expect EADS' share price to jump tomorrow – the US markets are closed.
There is a quid pro quo of course. EADS and Airbus will irritate Emirates with this move and so virtually guarantee Emirates will select the 787 rather than the A350 for its upcoming 100-aircraft order. We understand that Emirates might be incensed enough to make a bid for British Airways. This has been rumored often over the past six months. Clearly such a move ruins any sales campaign at BA for Airbus for a very long time. Fascinating times as the dust clears and we see where everyone stands.
