Qatar Airways News and Discussion Thread - 2021

NZ516 · Wed Jul 07, 2021 6:26 pm

Qatar sent their 777 cargo A7-BFT to Christchurch NZ it arrived at 1600 local time on Tuesday. Nice to see them here again it parked on a gate with an aerobridge as well.

aarbee · Wed Jul 07, 2021 7:48 pm

onwFan wrote:
Qatar Airways significantly increases US network to over 100 weekly services:-

https://www.qatarairways.com/en/press-r ... s-releases

- JFK, ORD, LAX and IAD will see 2x daily

It seems that IAD double daily is being pre-poned
Flight starting Monday July 12th will be operated using A350-900.

QR709 arriving at 8:45 AM
QR710 departing at 11:05 PM

(Interesting that the a/c will be at IAD for more than 13 hours)

-R

MileHFL400 · Sun Jul 18, 2021 6:00 pm

Interesting observation from Nairobi.

A7-BHB (B787-9) was here today. I believe these just came in to revenue service?

And there’s an A350-1000 on the way here for the evening service.

Looks like we have been quite lucky receiving their nicest aircraft of late!

xwb777 · Thu Jul 22, 2021 7:52 pm

It seems that AAB has changed his mind regarding the A380 and how inefficient it is. QR might bring some A380s back in service.

https://simpleflying-com.cdn.ampproject ... eturn/amp/

BangersAndMash · Thu Jul 22, 2021 8:12 pm

That was classic AAB BS aimed at EK, as he knew full well they weren't gonna fly anything else in a hurry! :lol:

Edit: you've forgotten so environmentally unfriendly

Pelly · Thu Jul 22, 2021 8:31 pm

xwb777 wrote:
It seems that AAB has changed his mind regarding the A380 and how inefficient it is. QR might bring some A380s back in service.

https://simpleflying-com.cdn.ampproject ... eturn/amp/

No changing of minds. He has been saying that all along:

Quote from January 2021:

“The 380 is, I think, one of the worst aircraft when it comes to emissions that is flying today. This is why we have decided that we will not operate them for the foreseeable future and even when we operate them we will only operate half the numbers we have,” Akbar al-Baker told an online CAPA forum.

https://www.reuters.com/article/qatar-a ... SKBN29I109

and from October 2020:

"As we rebuild our network, passengers can rely on us to operate an honest schedule of flights to take them where they want to go, using the right size aircraft to offer sensible capacity on each route. As a result, we will not resume flying our fleet of A380 until demand returns to appropriate levels. Having closely studied the environmental impact numbers, flying such a large aircraft with a low load factor does not meet our environmental responsibilities or make commercial sense."

https://www.news18.com/news/auto/qatar- ... 22103.html

from July 2020:

"Qatar Airways will not be bringing its A380 aircraft back into service in the near future, stating that “it is not commercially or environmentally justifiable to operate such a large aircraft in the current market”

https://www.businesstraveller.com/busin ... -grounded/

PITFlyer330 · Thu Jul 22, 2021 9:41 pm

So JFK first to get the a380 back? Or maybe even LAX and ORD?

Is qatars A380 even scheduled?

CALMSP · Fri Jul 23, 2021 12:54 am

PITFlyer330 wrote:
So JFK first to get the a380 back? Or maybe even LAX and ORD?

Is qatars A380 even scheduled?

the 380 back DOH-JFK? That has not been scheduled before.

PITFlyer330 · Sat Jul 24, 2021 7:16 pm

CALMSP wrote:
PITFlyer330 wrote:
So JFK first to get the a380 back? Or maybe even LAX and ORD?

Is qatars A380 even scheduled?

the 380 back DOH-JFK? That has not been scheduled before.

Im dumb sorry JFK doesnt even see the a380.

TUGMASTER · Sat Jul 24, 2021 8:19 pm

Pretty sure it would be LHR if the 380 ever returned.

MCTSET · Sun Aug 01, 2021 10:04 pm

It seems Qatar has brought back its A330 aircraft back into service, any ideas or suggestions why are these aircraft being operated as cargo aircraft?

xwb777 · Tue Aug 03, 2021 7:48 pm

According to the following Instagram account, QR has saw a decrease in traffic in June compared to May.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Boiler905 · Wed Aug 25, 2021 10:36 pm

PITFlyer330 wrote:
CALMSP wrote:
PITFlyer330 wrote:
So JFK first to get the a380 back? Or maybe even LAX and ORD?

Is qatars A380 even scheduled?

the 380 back DOH-JFK? That has not been scheduled before.

Im dumb sorry JFK doesnt even see the a380.

I've heard that the QR A380s cannot serve US markets on a scheduled-basis because they are not compliant with some of the FAA laws regarding handicap accessibility onboard (lavatories maybe?).

Not sure if anyone on here more official can verify

hohd · Mon Sep 27, 2021 6:37 pm

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ne ... 563218.cms

Qatar Airways reports $4.1 billion loss. Appears to be within range considering the pandemic. Now the question is how are they able to absorb the loss. Will Government of Qatar cover the losses or is it a carryforward loss.

Someone83 · Mon Sep 27, 2021 6:42 pm

56% of the loss relates to an impairment on their 10 A380 and 16 A330 fleets. Basically writing them down to either 0 or scrap value

Operating loss was USD 300 million, so could have been worse

Blerg · Tue Sep 28, 2021 6:01 am

Operating loss of $300 million is actually impressive if you think about it. They have minimal O&D demand meaning all revenue they got came from transfers and probably cargo.
Really impressive result.

MCTSET · Tue Sep 28, 2021 8:16 am

Blerg wrote:
Operating loss of $300 million is actually impressive if you think about it. They have minimal O&D demand meaning all revenue they got came from transfers and probably cargo.
Really impressive result.

Was just about to say that actually a operating lost of 300 million is pretty incredible. That’s about 25 million euros a month which is much more efficient for the size or airline and it’s operations compared to its rivals.

xwb777 · Tue Sep 28, 2021 10:22 am

Qatar Airways is seeking B777 Pilots secondment from British Airways

Source: https://twitter.com/starflyergold/statu ... 81190?s=21

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

CraigAnderson · Wed Sep 29, 2021 1:09 pm

Breaking news right now: Qatar is bringing back the A380 from November!

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news ... retirement

Apparently it's to help backfill against the 13 x grounded A350s, five A380s will come back but AAB says all the could end up flying again.

xwb777 · Wed Sep 29, 2021 1:30 pm

CraigAnderson wrote:
Breaking news right now: Qatar is bringing back the A380 from November!

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news ... retirement

Apparently it's to help backfill against the 13 x grounded A350s, five A380s will come back but AAB says all the could end up flying again.

Wait Akbar AlBaker! I thought your passengers worry alot about flying an uneconomical aircraft!

MileHFL400 · Wed Sep 29, 2021 5:10 pm

No this isn’t April fools.

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerosp ... 021-09-29/

U turn Al at it again!

Boiler905 · Wed Sep 29, 2021 6:06 pm

Probably expect to see them back on SYD/MEL/LHR.

jayunited · Wed Sep 29, 2021 6:19 pm

His statement about the A380s being the worst for the environment seems a bit comical now. When faced with a challenge Qatar is choosing money over the environment which is what most people thought they would do anyway.

Once they put those A380s back in service I have serious doubts they would place them back into storage once their A350s are back in service.

Pelly · Wed Sep 29, 2021 6:35 pm

From the beginning the context was that it is not environmentally friendly to fly empty A380s when demand cratered at the start of the COVID pandemic and when the jets where grounded there was always an indication they may return.

Quote from January 2021:

“The 380 is, I think, one of the worst aircraft when it comes to emissions that is flying today. This is why we have decided that we will not operate them for the foreseeable future and even when we operate them we will only operate half the numbers we have,” Akbar al-Baker told an online CAPA forum.

https://www.reuters.com/article/qatar-a ... SKBN29I109

and from October 2020:

"As we rebuild our network, passengers can rely on us to operate an honest schedule of flights to take them where they want to go, using the right size aircraft to offer sensible capacity on each route. As a result, we will not resume flying our fleet of A380 until demand returns to appropriate levels. Having closely studied the environmental impact numbers, flying such a large aircraft with a low load factor does not meet our environmental responsibilities or make commercial sense."

https://www.news18.com/news/auto/qatar- ... 22103.html

from July 2020:

"Qatar Airways will not be bringing its A380 aircraft back into service in the near future, stating that “it is not commercially or environmentally justifiable to operate such a large aircraft in the current market”

https://www.businesstraveller.com/busin ... -grounded/[/quote]

MileHFL400 · Wed Sep 29, 2021 7:08 pm

Pelly wrote:
From the beginning the context was that it is not environmentally friendly to fly empty A380s when demand cratered at the start of the COVID pandemic and when the jets where grounded there was always an indication they may return.

Quote from January 2021:

“The 380 is, I think, one of the worst aircraft when it comes to emissions that is flying today. This is why we have decided that we will not operate them for the foreseeable future and even when we operate them we will only operate half the numbers we have,” Akbar al-Baker told an online CAPA forum.

https://www.reuters.com/article/qatar-a ... SKBN29I109

and from October 2020:

"As we rebuild our network, passengers can rely on us to operate an honest schedule of flights to take them where they want to go, using the right size aircraft to offer sensible capacity on each route. As a result, we will not resume flying our fleet of A380 until demand returns to appropriate levels. Having closely studied the environmental impact numbers, flying such a large aircraft with a low load factor does not meet our environmental responsibilities or make commercial sense."

https://www.news18.com/news/auto/qatar- ... 22103.html

from July 2020:

"Qatar Airways will not be bringing its A380 aircraft back into service in the near future, stating that “it is not commercially or environmentally justifiable to operate such a large aircraft in the current market”

https://www.businesstraveller.com/busin ... -grounded/

[/quote]

Thanks Pelly for bringing this in to context for us. I think with what you quoted I think it makes a lot more sense to the rest of us.

I suppose from the above we can conclude that some of Qatar’s routes now have demand that the 777’s and A350’s fail to meet now. Also I suppose there now must be demand again for their first class product.

Though I was never an A380 fanboy I’m glad to see more of these giants back in the sky which must indicate that air travel is now rebounding in certain market segments.

I wouldn’t hold my breath for them to resume Asian A380 routes anytime soon as it does seem that they are lagging behind Europe and The United States as far as recovery is concerned!

OMAAbound · Wed Sep 29, 2021 7:21 pm

They will go on LHR/CDG/FRA, there is no way that they will go down to Australia.

Could this be a little like the Lufthansa situation, where they are merely only really bringing it back for first class, since as no other aircraft in their fleet has it? Just a thought.

OMAA

Opus99 · Wed Sep 29, 2021 7:22 pm

MileHFL400 wrote:
Pelly wrote:
From the beginning the context was that it is not environmentally friendly to fly empty A380s when demand cratered at the start of the COVID pandemic and when the jets where grounded there was always an indication they may return.

Quote from January 2021:

“The 380 is, I think, one of the worst aircraft when it comes to emissions that is flying today. This is why we have decided that we will not operate them for the foreseeable future and even when we operate them we will only operate half the numbers we have,” Akbar al-Baker told an online CAPA forum.

https://www.reuters.com/article/qatar-a ... SKBN29I109

and from October 2020:

"As we rebuild our network, passengers can rely on us to operate an honest schedule of flights to take them where they want to go, using the right size aircraft to offer sensible capacity on each route. As a result, we will not resume flying our fleet of A380 until demand returns to appropriate levels. Having closely studied the environmental impact numbers, flying such a large aircraft with a low load factor does not meet our environmental responsibilities or make commercial sense."

https://www.news18.com/news/auto/qatar- ... 22103.html

from July 2020:

"Qatar Airways will not be bringing its A380 aircraft back into service in the near future, stating that “it is not commercially or environmentally justifiable to operate such a large aircraft in the current market”

https://www.businesstraveller.com/busin ... -grounded/

Thanks Pelly for bringing this in to context for us. I think with what you quoted I think it makes a lot more sense to the rest of us.

I suppose from the above we can conclude that some of Qatar’s routes now have demand that the 777’s and A350’s fail to meet now. Also I suppose there now must be demand again for their first class product.

Though I was never an A380 fanboy I’m glad to see more of these giants back in the sky which must indicate that air travel is now rebounding in certain market segments.

I wouldn’t hold my breath for them to resume Asian A380 routes anytime soon as it does seem that they are lagging behind Europe and The United States as far as recovery is concerned![/quote]

Same here. I think the 380 coming back into service is great. It must mean demand is strong and early bookings are showing so.

embraer175e2 · Wed Sep 29, 2021 10:55 pm

Whats the percentage of pilots and cabin crew leaving qatar airways annually?

Airlinerdude · Wed Sep 29, 2021 11:43 pm

Someone83 wrote:
56% of the loss relates to an impairment on their 10 A380 and 16 A330 fleets. Basically writing them down to either 0 or scrap value

Under IFRS, impairment losses are reversible if the recoverable amount of the underlying asset increases. Hypothetically, QR could take a large impairment charge in 2021, then realize the recoverable amount of their A380 and A330 fleets are in fact greater than they anticipated in 2022 and reverse some/all of the impairment charge in 2022. Impairment reversals flow through the income statement, so would 'add' to income...

Boiler905 wrote:
Probably expect to see them back on SYD/MEL/LHR.

Perhaps in the mid-term they'll be back on SYD/MEL, but certainly not while such strict arrival caps are enforced in Australia. EK for example are only taking 25 passengers per flight to SYD these days. They'll likely be deployed on LHR/CDG/FRA and perhaps BKK when Thailand fully opens to vaccinated tourism in November.

LAX772LR · Thu Sep 30, 2021 2:03 am

Boiler905 wrote:
Probably expect to see them back on SYD/MEL/LHR.

Certainly not expecting them to see them anywhere near SYD/MEL any time soon....

CALMSP · Thu Sep 30, 2021 2:08 am

OMAAbound wrote:
They will go on LHR/CDG/FRA, there is no way that they will go down to Australia.

Could this be a little like the Lufthansa situation, where they are merely only really bringing it back for first class, since as no other aircraft in their fleet has it? Just a thought.

OMAA

nothing to do with first class. they weren't filling first class from LHR/FRA before the pandemic as it was.

CraigAnderson · Thu Sep 30, 2021 4:23 am

CALMSP wrote:
OMAAbound wrote:
They will go on LHR/CDG/FRA, there is no way that they will go down to Australia.

Could this be a little like the Lufthansa situation, where they are merely only really bringing it back for first class, since as no other aircraft in their fleet has it? Just a thought.

OMAA

nothing to do with first class. they weren't filling first class from LHR/FRA before the pandemic as it was.

Exactly, this is purely about getting more seats in the air to offset the shortfall from the grounded A350s n the face of the peak travel season, same reason the 'to be retired' A330s are coming back. But that said, now that QR has written down the value of the A380s and is bringing back A380-rated crew, I wouldn't be surprised if they keep these five flying once the A350 issue is sorted and AAB begins taking deliveries of new A350s again.

Blerg · Thu Sep 30, 2021 5:53 am

Will they bring their old A380 rate crew or will there be a fresh call for new employees? I am sure quite a few people from Germany might apply now that Lufthansa is probably not bringing them back.

Boiler905 · Thu Sep 30, 2021 4:08 pm

Airlinerdude wrote:

Boiler905 wrote:
Probably expect to see them back on SYD/MEL/LHR.

Perhaps in the mid-term they'll be back on SYD/MEL, but certainly not while such strict arrival caps are enforced in Australia. EK for example are only taking 25 passengers per flight to SYD these days. They'll likely be deployed on LHR/CDG/FRA and perhaps BKK when Thailand fully opens to vaccinated tourism in November.

Agreed SYD/MEL won't be immediate because of the ongoing restrictions there. BKK/CDG/FRA/LHR will see them until AU opens up. I've heard through the grapevine that the F class product really only sells well from AU & UK.

I forgot to include all of the preface statements and semantics and looks like I got roasted for it in true a.net fashion :rotfl:

TC957 · Thu Sep 30, 2021 5:42 pm

Looks like QR have U-turned over their decision to restart LGW in Dec, maybe running scared with EK returning, or maybe because the A380 will return to LHR by then.

xwb777 · Tue Oct 05, 2021 12:57 pm

Qatar Airways says the A350 paint issues has lead to composite cracks and affected lightning protection on fuselage

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles ... f=BLGg9KM9

xwb777 · Thu Oct 14, 2021 12:40 pm

QR business class for A321NEO, B789 and B777X

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news ... iQB4TaQ_u8

BangersAndMash · Tue Oct 26, 2021 6:27 pm

QR launching Odesa in Ukraine.

https://simpleflying.com/qatar-airways-a320-odesa-ukraine/

And switching Moscow airports from Domodedovo to Sheremetyevo. Not officially announced but Domodedovo is not bookable past 31.10. Unless a partnership with SU is in the offing, this is rather strange (especially considering they have an interest in a third Moscow Airport at Vnukovo).

scbriml · Tue Oct 26, 2021 7:34 pm

xwb777 wrote:
Qatar Airways says the A350 paint issues has lead to composite cracks and affected lightning protection on fuselage

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles ... f=BLGg9KM9

My understanding is that the cracks are in a surface coating and are not "cracks in the composite fuselage". EASA has declared that there is no flight safety issue. This is nothing more than QR making a fuss about a cosmetic issue in order to leverage their position with Airbus.

https://www.aerotime.aero/28562-easa-op ... r-A350s%20

Polot · Tue Oct 26, 2021 8:08 pm

scbriml wrote:
xwb777 wrote:
Qatar Airways says the A350 paint issues has lead to composite cracks and affected lightning protection on fuselage

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles ... f=BLGg9KM9

My understanding is that the cracks are in a surface coating and are not "cracks in the composite fuselage". EASA has declared that there is no flight safety issue. This is nothing more than QR making a fuss about a cosmetic issue in order to leverage their position with Airbus.

https://www.aerotime.aero/28562-easa-op ... r-A350s%20

If lightning protection is being exposed/deteriorated as QR claims then the composite is cracking, not just the surface coating. Al Baker is quoted in the Bloomberg article as saying that the composites are cracking. No one except those at QR/Airbus/EASA actually knows what the issue is and the full extent. EASa declaring that there is no flight safety issue doesn’t not necessary preclude the possibility of cracks in the composite.

LAX772LR · Tue Oct 26, 2021 9:06 pm

Polot wrote:
No one except those at QR/Airbus/EASA actually knows what the issue is

...but it's shocking that no other carriers are (publicly) stating that they're having this problem. You'd think by now, there'd be some leaks.

Very interesting saga.

Opus99 · Tue Oct 26, 2021 10:07 pm

LAX772LR wrote:
Polot wrote:
No one except those at QR/Airbus/EASA actually knows what the issue is

...but it's shocking that no other carriers are (publicly) stating that they're having this problem. You'd think by now, there'd be some leaks.

Very interesting saga.

no other a350 carrier operates in QR's condition

LAX772LR · Tue Oct 26, 2021 10:42 pm

Opus99 wrote:
no other a350 carrier operates in QR's condition

Etihad.

Granted, even though they took delivery a long time ago, I'm not sure theirs are actually in service yet.
But, the planes have been there and exposed to desert conditions for a while now.

But I do understand that most of QR's have been there for years longer, so there's that.

Opus99 · Tue Oct 26, 2021 10:50 pm

LAX772LR wrote:
Opus99 wrote:
no other a350 carrier operates in QR's condition

Etihad.

Granted, even though they took delivery a long time ago, I'm not sure theirs are actually in service yet.
But, the planes have been there and exposed to desert conditions for a while now.

I also understand that some of QR's have been for years longer, so there's that.

I mean. Well you’ve argued my point for me. So thank you

Polot · Tue Oct 26, 2021 10:53 pm

LAX772LR wrote:
Granted, even though they took delivery a long time ago, I'm not sure theirs are actually in service yet.
But, the planes have been there and exposed to desert conditions for a while now.

They have been sitting in France, BOD specifically, for a while now. They only moved to AUD over this past summer (they are not yet in service). The last ones to move have only been in AUD for about a month.

aarbee · Wed Oct 27, 2021 6:04 pm

Opus99 wrote:
LAX772LR wrote:
Opus99 wrote:
no other a350 carrier operates in QR's condition

Etihad.

Granted, even though they took delivery a long time ago, I'm not sure theirs are actually in service yet.
But, the planes have been there and exposed to desert conditions for a while now.

I also understand that some of QR's have been for years longer, so there's that.

I mean. Well you’ve argued my point for me. So thank you

LOL. So true. It's just amusing that the detractors of QR and AAB would go any length to disparage them.

As someone aptly said "QR/Airbus/EASA actually knows what the issue is".

LAX772LR · Wed Oct 27, 2021 6:13 pm

aarbee wrote:
It's just amusing that the detractors of QR and AAB would go any length to disparage them.

Swing-and-a-miss there, champ.

I'm not disparaging anyone who makes my favorite of all airlines work the way that it does.

Opus99 · Mon Nov 01, 2021 3:27 pm

Just realising that there are actually 4 other 350-1000s that have been grounded for some months now. A7-ANA to A7-AND

Gar1G · Mon Nov 01, 2021 4:06 pm

Opus99 wrote:
Just realising that there are actually 4 other 350-1000s that have been grounded for some months now. A7-ANA to A7-AND

Think its A7-ANB to E. A7-ANA seems to still be flying. Degradation might be quite random considering ANA is oldest of the 35Ks

Opus99 · Mon Nov 01, 2021 5:39 pm

Gar1G wrote:
Opus99 wrote:
Just realising that there are actually 4 other 350-1000s that have been grounded for some months now. A7-ANA to A7-AND

Think its A7-ANB to E. A7-ANA seems to still be flying. Degradation might be quite random considering ANA is oldest of the 35Ks

Apologies. Yeah that’s right

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