Qatar Airways (QR, Doha Hamad International) is considering expanding its A380-800 order book though it has no plans to operate the type on ultra-longhaul routes CEO Akbar al Baker has revealed.
"We could even order more (on top of existing options) if we feel that this aircraft is a really good performer," Akbar Al Baker told Reuters on the sidelines of the ITB Berlin tourism fair.
The Qatari national carrier has ten A380-800s on order from Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) with options for an additional three. The first of the twindeck jets are due in June with London Heathrow their first international destination.
"We want to take delivery and see how it is operating in our environment with our yields and our traffic pattern," he added.
Justifying his reasons for not using the aircraft on ultra longhaul flights, al Baker said the economics of the A380 would not permit his airline to operate routes such as Doha Hamad International to Los Angeles International viably.
"If you go those long distances, especially with an A380, you will lose your shirt, because the A380 is a very expensive airplane to operate on ultra-long haul. Unless you get the right yield, you won't make a profit on the airplane," he said. "This is why we have a very small number of A380s. The A380s were very good when the fuel price was 30, 40, 50 dollars a barrel, but when you have to spend 100-120 dollars for fuel it becomes very difficult."
