Airliners.net

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 9:19 pm**

FARNBOROUGH, England, July 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boeing (NYSE:BA) and Qatar Airways today announced the airline's firm order for 20 777 commercial jetliners. Qatar will begin to take delivery of its new Boeing 777s -- a mix of 14 777-300ERs (Extended Range) and six 777-200LRs (Longer Range) -- in 2007. The airplane deal is valued at approximately $4.9 billion at list prices. This order was previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing's Orders and Deliveries website.

"Qatar Airways continues along a path of profitable growth that is directly tied to our consummate service and dedication to our customers," said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker. "I know our passengers will be thrilled seeing the Boeing 777 in Qatar Airways livery and they can look forward to our maximizing the comfort of the airplane's roomy cabin across our network, but particularly on new long-haul routes."

Source: http://www.boeing.com

Regards, PanAm_DC10

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 9:25 pm**

This order was previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing's Orders and Deliveries website.

But still nice to have conformation.

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 9:28 pm**

Wow... how come they need both A346s AND B773ERs?

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 9:31 pm**

So what happened to those folks saying T7 orders will slow down in the next 5-6 years because no one wants to end up with thirsty planes when the 787/350 arrive?
Way to go 777.

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 9:49 pm**

Boeing has just pulled back on the news release - very strange!

Press Release Source: Boeing

/K I L L K I L L K I L L -- Boeing/
Monday July 17, 8:42 am ET

We are advised by Boeing that journalists and other readers should disregard the news release, Boeing (NYSE: BA - News) and Qatar Airways Finalize Deal for 20 Boeing 777s, issued earlier today over PR Newswire.

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 9:54 pm**

Very weird reaction by Boeing, especially the "KILLKILLKILL". Someone at Boeing been doing too much drugs Silly

?

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 9:56 pm**

Quoting DAL767400ER (Reply 5):
Someone at Boeing been doing too much drugs Silly ?

Or listening too much to Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant"!

Still very strange of course, looks well on its way to get the "major aviation PR blunder 2006" award if the order doesn't come out in the end.

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 9:56 pm**

They've taken-down the Lion-Air 739ER announcement for 30 aircraft as well.

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 10:01 pm**

Perhaps they got the customers the wrong way round? duck

Maybe they're in shock at the A350XWB announcement? duck

All a bit odd. confused

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 10:07 pm**

Quoting Leelaw (Reply 7):
They've taken-down the Lion-Air 739ER announcement for 30 aircraft as well

It's still on their site

http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2006/q3/060717b_nr.html

Regards, PanAm_DC10

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 10:08 pm**

Quoting Leelaw (Reply 7):
They've taken-down the Lion-Air 739ER announcement for 30 aircraft as well.

It is still available at http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/ as I'm posting this.

The retraction of the QR thing is quite bizarre. I guess the simple explanation is that it was meant to have its own press conference and big event and be released then, and someone stuffed up and released the press release early...

V/F

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 10:08 pm**

They were just talking about the Qatar order here on the radio in Seattle, they are interviewing Mulally at 6:45 local time.

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 10:12 pm**

Quoting PanAm_DC10 (Reply 9):

Quoting VirginFlyer (Reply 10):

Sorry, they only took it off the front page.

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 10:17 pm**

They want to announce it for the 5th time and make more PR spin around it.

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 10:20 pm**

Interesting, one forum member earlier hinted that the unidentified order was for Etihad (and he works for them). So maybe this order is still coming too. In any case, EY's CEO tells Gulfnews that the decision between 350 and 787 is still open, but that they definitely need more capacity in that class.

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:09 pm**

The KILLKILLKILL piece was simply mediaspeak for "kill the story" because it was released incorrectly or prematurely.

So the Lionair thing is still news, but the Qatar story is premature? Or are they simply going to wait for the ink to dry in order to prevent any further false hopes based on "commitments"?

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:14 pm**

Quoting DL021 (Reply 15):
So the Lionair thing is still news, but the Qatar story is premature? Or are they simply going to wait for the ink to dry in order to prevent any further false hopes based on "commitments"?

It's the former. The 20 777s has been on Boeing's order book for sometime now. Qatar was just waiting for Farnborough to announce the order. It seems like someone in Boeing's PR department got a little too excited and probably sent out the wrong release. Someone was downing a few too many at the local pub it seems. drunk

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:18 pm**

Quoting DL021 (Reply 15):
but the Qatar story is premature?

I believe that to be the case as it was released prior to their scheduled briefing.

Quoting DL021 (Reply 15):
Or are they simply going to wait for the ink to dry in order to prevent any further false hopes based on "commitments"?

There shouldn't be given that from the press release that I copied it stated that;

Quoting PanAm_DC10 (Thread starter):
This order was previously attributed to an unidentified customer on Boeing's Orders and Deliveries website.

which means that deposits had been paid and it met Boeings order booking chriteria. However, it is my understanding that the 777 announcement is not the only announcement that QR have planned and by releasing it early QR may have wished for a dual announcement.

Regards, PanAm_DC10

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:34 pm**

According to The Wall Street Journal (fair use excerpt):

A Qatar Airways spokeswoman said the press conference was canceled because the chief executive was unwell. She declined to comment on the earlier Boeing statement. She said a press conference may be rescheduled in the next day or two, but there was no certainty of that.

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:38 pm**

Quoting NYC777 (Reply 16):
It's the former. The 20 777s has been on Boeing's order book for sometime now. Qatar was just waiting for Farnborough to announce the order. It seems like someone in Boeing's PR department got a little too excited and probably sent out the wrong release. Someone was downing a few too many at the local pub it seems.

Hang on, wasn't there supposed to have been a press conference at 13:00LT by QR? That time has passed... did the conference even take place?

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:42 pm**

Here's a link to the aforementioned WSJ article:

The fate of a Qatar Airways order for 20 Boeing Co. 777s aircraft was shrouded in mystery Monday as Boeing removed from its Web site an earlier statement saying it had secured the sale...

...Qatar Airways was scheduled to hold a press conference at the Farnborough International Airshow at 1200 GMT but canceled it Monday morning. Boeing then removed the statement from its Web site...

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20060717-707889.html

Perhaps "Mr. Swiss-Cheese" decided to have luncheon with John Leahy instead...sure hope the "deposit" check has cleared the bank.

[Edited 2006-07-17 16:43:54]

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:47 pm**

Airbus unveils projects, ideas, designs, etc,......Boeing bags orders.

This is starting to irritate me! grumpy

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:51 pm**

any chance the state of the order has anything to do with events in the middle east? Not trying to inject political drivel into this thread!

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:52 pm**

This seems to be in the bag for Boeing.

But what a big scandal this would be if QR cancels this order again and orders the A350XWB aircraft instead.

Drew

Posted: **Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:55 pm**

Quoting Clickhappy (Reply 22):
any chance the state of the order has anything to do with events in the middle east?

Sitting here watching the news the thought crossed my mind!

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 12:13 am**

Hey, pre-MacWorld once ATItech released some PR early and took away Emperor Steve Jobs' thunder, and Jobs immediately pulled the ATI cards out of Apple's new computer and went with another brand for six months.

Might the Boeing PR slip up have the same effect, where QR cancels their conference and then makes Boeing sit on the order for six more months? Losing face is big. If this was truly such a slip up and Boeing is damaged by it, expect the PR clown to lose his/her job. Companies often have little respect for their PR department anyway, so this person should have a resume ready...

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 12:30 am**

Boeing has already booked the order and they have a signed firm contract. QR might not make an annoucement but they are still obliged to take an dpay for the airplanes that Boeing is building for them.

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 12:50 am**

Bloomberg . com just 30 minutes ago !

confused

Halibut

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...1085&sid=aomBHZ1SElUo&refer=europe

Boeing Top Airbus With $4.9 Bln Qatar Order for 777s

July 17 (Bloomberg) -- Boeing Co. won a $4.9 billion order from Qatar Airways, the state-owned airline of the Persian Gulf country, for 20 777s, dealing a blow to Airbus SAS's rival model.

The airline had been weighing whether to buy Boeing's 777 models or a mixture of Airbus A330-300s and A340s to add routes to China, India and the U.S. The order, for 14 of the 777-300ERs and six 777-200LRs, was previously attributed to an unidentified customer, Boeing said in a statement. Airbus has yet to announce any orders at the Farnborough International Airshow, which open today in England.

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 12:51 am**

Quoting Clickhappy (Reply 22):
any chance the state of the order has anything to do with events in the middle east?

I think it is more likely what the WSJ reported: Boeing put up the press release, knowing the information would probably start truly spreading worldwide around the time Mr. al-Baker would be holding his press conference. However, QR cancelled the press conference at the last minute because he was not feeling well, thus Boeing needed to quickly retract the release.

Regards,

Hamlet69

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 12:57 am**

It gets murkier. With customers like this, who needs enemies? Fair use excerpt from The Wall Street Journal:

FARNBOROUGH, England (Dow Jones)--Qatar Airways said Monday it has made no decision on an order for any Boeing (BA) planes, but it is still in talks with the U.S. company.

A spokeswoman for the airline told Dow Jones Newswires that an earlier release by Boeing announcing a Qatar Airways order for 20 Boeing 777s had been put out by mistake. The spokeswoman said there may be a press conference in the next day or two, but no announcement will be made until a deal is finalized.

[...]

(11:06AM EDT, 2006/07/17)

[Edited 2006-07-17 18:00:53]

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 1:11 am**

Quoting N328KF (Reply 32):
It gets murkier. With customers like this, who needs enemies? Fair use excerpt from The Wall Street Journal:

As I said a while ago, I stopped caring what QR does a long time ago. Sound like a bunch of attention hog babies and they play with B and A (and the jobs those two create) like little toys.

EK is bad enough with their out in the open bashing of products, but QR seems to have EK envy!

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 1:18 am**

Quoting N328KF (Reply 32):
Qatar Airways said Monday it has made no decision on an order for any Boeing (BA) planes, but it is still in talks with the U.S. company.

Since there was a quote in the press release from QR's chief certainly there was a coordinated effort to put it together.

If QR are really putting doubt on the order now that is a pretty dirty way to squeeze Boeing for some last minute concessions. A true display of unethical behavior, if true!

Lotsamiles

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 1:42 am**

More fuel for the fire from The Wall Street Journal

FARNBOROUGH, England (Dow Jones)--Airbus is still in negotiations with Qatar Airways about a possible aircraft order for the airline, John Leahy, Airbus' chief operating officer, customers, said Monday.

[...]

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 1:48 am**

From James Wallace of the Seattle PI (Fair Use Excerpt):

...Boeing and Qatar Airways put out - and then recalled - a release announcing an order for 20 Boeing 777s, in a deal valued at approximately $4.9 billion at list prices. Qatar also canceled a news conference at the last minute.

Boeing spokesman Peter Conte said the order for the widebody 777s has been booked for several weeks to an unidentified customer, and that the order books would not be altered. "It's nothing having to do with the deal. The deal is done," he said.

Conte said that the announcement of the order that had been planned for Farnborough was canceled at the last minute. It was unclear when or if it might be rescheduled.

A spokesperson for Qatar Airways did not answer the phone. The airline told Dow Jones Newswires it was still in talks with Boeing but has made no decision on an order for any Boeing planes...

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420AP_Britain_Air_Show.html

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 1:56 am**

Quoting N328KF (Reply 37):
FARNBOROUGH, England (Dow Jones)--Airbus is still in negotiations with Qatar Airways about a possible aircraft order for the airline, John Leahy, Airbus' chief operating officer, customers, said Monday.

I'm sure he's talking about A350X vs 787. The 777 is a done deal, just a PR cock-up over the announcement.

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 1:57 am**

well, I have done some emailing, and calling. There are political forces at play, sadly. I was given a cryptic "see who Qatar donated money to." I believe the answer is Palestine.

There was also some disagreement during Saturdays Arab League meeting, with most Arab nations failing to announce support for Hizzbulah. I wonder if this is Qatar's way of showing their displeasure with the U.S.

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 2:00 am**

It does not matter when QR wants to announce this order. The fact of the matter is that the 20 UFO 777s are already listed as firm order on Boeing's website. Boeing never lists an order without deposit and signed contract. Regardless what QR wants to do, their money is already in Boeing's hand. If they decide not to order B777, I am sure there are many other airlines willing to take their spot.

Cheers,
PP

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 2:03 am**

Quoting Clickhappy (Reply 40):
well, I have done some emailing, and calling. There are political forces at play, sadly. I was given a cryptic "see who Qatar donated money to." I believe the answer is Palestine.

There was also some disagreement during Saturdays Arab League meeting, with most Arab nations failing to announce support for Hizzbulah. I wonder if this is Qatar's way of showing their displeasure with the U.S.

Thanks Clcikhappy, this kinda confirmed my suspicion that the whole Mid East political dynamics is (Unjustifiably) effecting commercial dealings between two companeies. If QR is going to play these games then Boeing shouldn't give them the time of day from here on out. It a BS way of doing business.

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 2:27 am**

Quoting Clickhappy (Reply 40):
I wonder if this is Qatar's way of showing their displeasure with the U.S.

Son of a .... Angry

Man it infuriates me when government run airlines pull this stuff. QR and SU being latest examples. At least when EK flip-flops it's strictly a matter of their business practices - like them or not.

Unfortunately it is just the reality of the way things are I guess.

WorldXplorer

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 2:52 am**

So whats happening. What are the chances of Qatar somehow ordering the airbus???

And why would they retract the 20 x777 statement if they knew people would read it before they retracted it and just spread it around....

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 3:00 am**

and what will happen to the A350-order??? Nothing, a dual-fleet??? Confused

last years news:

As expected, Qatar gave Airbus the big A350 order that it coveted -- for 60 planes in a deal worth about $10.6 billion at the list price of the A350.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/228341_qatar14.html

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 3:07 am**

Quoting Clickhappy (Reply 40):
I wonder if this is Qatar's way of showing their displeasure with the U.S.

Not that I'm an expert in global politics but I do believe that Qatar plays home to a massive US military base and is a strong and close ally of the US. Perhaps even the biggest US ally in the Gulf, besides Israel that is.

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 3:27 am**

QR stinks to high hell....let's look at the facts:

1) QR says they're going to buy ( a year ago) 20 777s
2) QR later says they're reviewing the 777s LoI a few months ago
3) Boeing books a firm order for 20 777 in May, everyone and their great grandmother says it's QR and they're going to make a formal announcement at Farnborough
4) QR schedules a press conference for 7/1/7 at 1 pm London time - What were they going to announce? Logically it would be to announce the 777 order.
5) Boeing sends out the press release at 1:15 PM London time announcing the 777 order from QR
6) QR cancels aformentioned press conference saying that the CEO is "ill."
7) Boeing is forced to kill the press release.
8) QR is now saying that they never ordered the 20 777s and that discussions are on going. Maybe an announcement in a day or two.

Reasonable people can conclude the following:

1) QR is lying in that there is no firm 777 order.
2) QR is trying to get extra concessions out of Boeing or it is a form of "statement" about US foreign policy.
3) With a firm contract in place since May along with deposits placed, it will be hard for QR to get out of the firm contract w/o a hefty penalty being paid.

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 3:35 am**

Maybe the guy is just ill and the press conference and press release were killed to accomodate him - he is chairman of the airline after all. When the press conference is re-scheduled, the press release will be reissued, and thats probably the end of the story.

Boeing probably could not stop the press release in time, or someone was asleep at the wheel.....for all of those billions of dollars, Qatar and its execs want drama and lights and cameras, it just will wait for a few days.

Boeing is very careful about its website and orders and listing (more so than the folks from Tolouse)......the 20 777 order has been listed (as an unannounced carrier for a while), that indicates a firm signed order that will be announced later. Qatar is not pulling out, and as difficult as the situation is in Israel/Lebanon/Gaza right now, its not affecting the order. Remember, that the world leaders (including Pres Bush and several European leaders including Merkel, Chirac and Blair) made a JOINT statement yesterday concerning the matter.

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 3:39 am**

Maybe QR CEO received a phone call from Leahy at noon making him an offer he couldn't refuse?

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 3:43 am**

Quoting Dutchjet (Reply 50):
Maybe the guy is just ill and the press conference and press release were killed to accomodate him - he is chairman of the airline after all. When the press conference is re-scheduled, the press release will be reissued, and thats probably the end of the story.

Boeing probably could not stop the press release in time, or someone was asleep at the wheel.....for all of those billions of dollars, Qatar and its execs want drama and lights and cameras, it just will wait for a few days.

All well and good but why did QR say that they do not have a firm 777 order and that it was still under negotiation(They could have just said no comment when asked about the 777 order)?

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 4:03 am**

Quoting NYC777 (Reply 53):

All well and good but why did QR say that they do not have a firm 777 order and that it was still under negotiation(They could have just said no comment when asked about the 777 order)?

Arm twisting, simple as that. AAB is quite the ball-breaker and is very sneaky, hence his nickname - the Snake.

YOWza

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 4:08 am**

Quoting YOWza (Reply 54):
AAB is quite the ball-breaker and is very sneaky, hence his nickname - the Snake.

How could the Snake get out of contract he's already signed unless he's willing to amend it by also buying 60 787s?

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 4:24 am**

Quoting Dutchjet (Reply 50):
Maybe the guy is just ill and the press conference and press release were killed to accomodate him - he is chairman of the airline after all. When the press conference is re-scheduled, the press release will be reissued, and thats probably the end of the story.

Surely it couldn't be that simple could it? sarcastic

Quoting Katekebo (Reply 51):
Maybe QR CEO received a phone call from Leahy at noon making him an offer he couldn't refuse?

I doubt that very much - I suspect Airbus's best and final offer was made before QR ordered the 777s. Maybe, just maybe they cancelled the press release because of illness and someone in Boeing still fired off the PR without being told to hold it. At worst a minor cock-up by Boeing. As to the "spokesperson" saying nothing is finalised, they would say that to maintain "face" (something that's very important in the Middle-East) and allow the CEO the honour of announcing the deal that he has personally brokered.

As to those claiming this is all some anti-semetic conspiracy - I think you'll all look a little silly in a couple of days.

Quoting NYC777 (Reply 49):
QR stinks to high hell....

But they were flavour of the month when they announced their intention to order at least 20 777s a year ago. They will be again when this finalised deal is announced.

Quoting NYC777 (Reply 53):
why did QR say that they do not have a firm 777 order and that it was still under negotiation

It's all about saving face and having the CEO make the announcement. They're probably just a bit pissed that Boeing let the PR slip out.

Posted: **Tue Jul 18, 2006 4:32 am**

Quoting Scbriml (Reply 56):
At worst a minor cock-up by Boeing. As to the "spokesperson" saying nothing is finalised, they would say that to maintain "face" (something that's very important in the Middle-East) and allow the CEO the honour of announcing the deal that he has personally brokered.

They could have said a simple no comment to questions about the order and still save face.

Airliners.net

Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s

RE: Official: Qatar Confirm Order For 20 X 777s