Qatar Airways has been “proactive” in ensuring it operates the “latest most fuel-efficient aircraft”, said Group Chief Executive HE Akbar al-Baker and noted the national airline does not expect to operate its Airbus A380s for at least two years.
Addressing the @FlightGlobal’s #Airlines2050 summit yesterday al-Baker said, “I don’t think that the A380 will get back into the skies in the short term,” and cited the type’s “unfavourable economics” amid the coronavirus crisis.
“Recognising early the shift in consumer sentiment towards sustainability, we have been proactive in ensuring we operate the latest most fuel-efficient aircraft.”
He said, “Our airline would need to see the growth we achieved in 2019 for it to consider reintroducing its examples of the type.
A decision to bring the superjumbo back sooner, would therefore, not be wise.
He noted that Airbus, Boeing, General Electric, Rolls Royce and other suppliers “need to reinvest their profits in R&D and innovation, to achieve greater efficiency.”
“While we commit and strive to be more sustainable, our ability to meet our targets is very much dependent on the aircraft and engine manufacturers and petrochemical companies.”
On air travel during the pandemic, al-Baker said, “In the absence of a vaccine, PCR testing at airports for inbound passengers’ remains the most reliable process to resume international travel.
“Airport-based Covid-19 PCR testing is now available in more than 30 countries globally. Introducing this measure across the UK airports, followed by a five-day quarantine, offers a balance between protecting public health and increasing demand for air travel.”