Qatar Airways CEO: Boeing Win Over Airbus was a ‘Very Close Call’
Photo Credit: Badr Mohammed Al-Meer was appointed Group CEO at Qatar Airways in 2023. Qatar Airways
Skift Take
Al-Meer’s comments herald a bold new chapter anchored around U.S.-built aircraft, but they're also a reaffirmation of Qatar Airways’ pragmatic and often opportunistic fleet strategy.
The chief executive of Qatar Airways has shared new insight into the decision-making process behind last week’s enormous aircraft order.
On May 14, the airline signed a historic deal with Boeing for up to 210 widebody planes. The contract, first announced by the White House during a visit to Doha by President Trump, is one of the largest orders of its type in Boeing's history.
Speaking to CNN, Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer described the decision to select the U.S. manufacturer over its European rival as “a very, very, very, close call.”
Al-Meer said the procurement work for the new aircraft started in early 2024. He highlighted that both companies, plus their associated engine-makers, were in contention until the final stages.
“We started the process almost a year and a half ago when we decided to create a competition through this RFP [request for proposal] between both aircraft manufacturers – Airbus and Boeing – as well as both engine suppliers, GE and Rolls-Royce,” said the Qatar Airways CEO.
Despite Boeing ultimately winning the order, Al-Meer suggested that Ai
