Boeing in talks with Qatar Airways to get launch order for its new 777-8 freighter
Qatar Cargo 777-200LRF freighter
Boeing is in advanced talks with Qatar Airways to secure a launch order for a proposed new freighter, and a deal could come as early as next week when the country’s ruling emir visits Washington, two people familiar with the matter said on Jan. 25.
Qatar Airways is looking at renewing its existing fleet of around 34 freighters with the larger new 777X version in a deal potentially worth $14 billion at list prices, the people said. Qatar has indicated it is willing to look at buying as many as 50 freighters, with the larger number likely to include options.
If the deal goes ahead, this will be the first order for the 777X, which is expected to carry about 110 metric tonnes of cargo. The current model, the 777-200LRF has a revenue payload capability of more than 226,000 pounds (102.8 metric tons).
The potential deal comes as tensions between Qatar Airways and Airbus continue over the Doha-hubbed airline’s A350 fleet. Qatar Airways has in the past also expressed an interest in a potential order for Airbus’ recently launched A350 freighter aircraft, although the possibility of this looks increasingly unlikely due to the tensions between the two.
In a June interview with Reuters, Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker said that the company was considering an order for 30 or more freighters from Airbus or Boeing as part of a fleet renewal program.
According Qatar Airways website, all 26 of the Boeing 777 freighters it has ordered from Boeing have now been delivered — the first of which arrived in 2010. It also operates two 747-8Fs.
The 777X was on display at Dubai Airshow 2021. A decision on launching a freighter version of the Boeing 777X will be made “when the market wants it” as the manufacturer focuses on ensuring the 777-9 passenger aircraft meets all deliverables when it enters service.
In June 2019, Qatar Airways urged Boeing to develop a 777X-based freighter, to replace its existing 777-200LRFs. The freighter is expected to be based on the 777-8 airframe, with 775,000 lb (351.5 t) max takeoff weight.
Boeing has offered two large freighter widebodies the last several. The most recent generation included the 747-8F and the 777-200LRF, which also have passenger versions. Boeing 747 production is coming to an end next year, and the 777 family is also on the way out in favor of the next-generation 777X lineup. The popularity of large freighters is also evident given how much interest there is in converted 777s.
The 777X freighter would be part of that versatility Boeing is trying to target. Take an airline like Qatar Airways. The carrier currently flies the Boeing 777 family and has orders for the Boeing 777X for its passenger operations. It also flies the Boeing 777F under a dedicated cargo fleet.
The addition of the 777X freighter would add marginal costs while providing the benefits of enhanced fuel efficiency and capacity to power growth. It also reduces fleet complexity, given that Qatar Airways can have an overlap of spare parts, for example, with its 777X freighter and 777X passenger aircraft, further reducing complexity, offering efficiencies, and still being able to continue its incredible growth.