Qatar Airways to operate first Airbus A319 LR

Qatar Airways will become the first airline to operate the new long range Airbus A319. The A319 LR is based on the successful A319 corporate jetliner (CRJ), of which airline already operates one aircraft.

Speaking at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, held in Germany recently, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al-Baker, announced that the airline is going to operate an Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ) configured for A319 Long Range operations.

The cabin of the Qatar Airways A319

The new long range A319 aircraft is scheduled to enter service in mid 2003 and will be named "Oryx Long Range". Qatar's first ACJ is in operation with the airline since mid 2001, carrying the name "Oryx Express".

The A319 Long Range is the latest addition to the Airbus A320 Family of aircraft, combining the performance capabilities of the Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ) with the qualities of a premium-class airliner. The A320 Family comprises the A318, A319, A320 and A321, offering the highest degree of economy and passenger comfort for aircraft seating from 100 to 220 passengers. The ACJ, a longer-range version of the A319, can fly as far as 6,000 nm/11,100 km with 12 passengers on board.

Qatar Airways' CEO Mr Akbar Al Baker with Vice President of Airbus Industrie's Corporate Jet Aircraft Richard Gaona

Qatar airways Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Akbar Al Baker said: "Qatar Airways is proud to be known as an all-Airbus airline. Our relationship with Airbus has stood the test of time and we both have grown from strength to strength due to our close cooperation during the past year. The CEO said: "In the days to come, Qatar Airways would like to build on this special relationship of mutual trust and cooperation with Airbus Industrie to reach our set goals."

While the "Oryx Express" is configured to accommodate 36 passengers, the "Oryx Long Range" will feature a two-class cabin layout for up to 110 passengers. Both aircraft will be part of Qatar's all-Airbus fleet, flying on a network that includes destinations in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Indian sub-continent and Asia.

By the end of 2004, Qatar Airways is expected to have a fleet of more than 35 aircraft, as part of a strategy to give passengers a greater choice of destinations, a greater choice of flights, and the latest in aircraft services and products. It currently operates a fleet of 22 aircraft and flies to 38 destinations worldwide.

Michael Meier

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Pictures Copyright: Qatar Airways