Qatar Airways Continues To Grow, Adds 100th Aircraft

After 14-years Qatar Airways has added another milestone to their business repertoire by announcing the acquisition of their 100th aircraft, a 259-seat Boeing 777-200LR (Long Range) aircraft.

The milestone was marked by Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker and Boeing Commerical President and CEO Jim Albaugh.

Speaking at the opening ceremony Baker said of the milestone:

“The industry has watched us closely as we rapidly developed a truly global network of flights to reach all corners of the world with a modern fleet of aircraft to give the travelling public the high levels of service and travel options that they fully deserve,” said Al Baker.

“Since April we have not only launched our 100th route, but have also been given the greatest accolade an airline can ever ask for – that of Airline of the Year – and, now, reaching a third major milestone of operating 100 passenger and cargo aircraft following the latest delivery,” he added.

The planes maiden voyage left the plant shortly after the milestone ceremony and headed on it’s 13-hour non-stop journey to Doha where it will be placed into immediate commercial service.

With their new acquisition Qatar now controls 27 Boeing 777 aircraft along with a mix of Airbus A320, Airbus A330 and Airbus 340 planes.

The announcement of a 100th plane comes in the same year that the company announced a 100th worldwide destination while being named the Airline of the Year 2011 via a Skytrax passenger survey.

Perhaps airlines in America should take notes from Qatar Airways, they are obviously doing something right.