Qatar Airways CEO expects Airbus deliveries this year

Qatar Airways reportedly expects to receive deliveries of Airbus widebody A350 and narrowbody A321LR jets this year.

The timeline was discussed at a meeting between Qatar Airways CEO Hamad Al-Khater and Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury during the former’s first trip to Airbus headquarters, Bloomberg reported.

“Airbus is a long-standing partner, they have been with us since the beginning,” Al-Khater was quoted as saying.

Al-Khater took the post in December, replacing Badr Al‑Meer after just two years.

Airbus has demonstrated its commitment to delivering on its promises, Al-Khater said, without giving any numbers.

Half of Qatar Airways’ fleet comprises Airbus jets, with more than 60 on order, the report said.

In March 2024, Qatar Airways returned its entire fleet of A350 jetliners to service a year after settling a dispute with Airbus over flaking paint. The companies reached an “amicable and mutually agreeable settlement” in February 2023.

Qatar Airways expects the first batch of A321s to arrive in the fourth quarter of the year, expanding its options for secondary cities in Europe and emerging markets in China, Al-Khater said.

• Airbus expanded Gulf business in 2025 despite global challenges
• Qatar Airways ranked busiest Gulf airline in 2025
• Gulf airlines foresee further delays from Airbus and Boeing

The narrowbodies will have new configurations in the business and economy cabins, he said, calling it a “game-changer”.

The airline expects to receive the first batch of widebody 777Xs from Boeing next year, as part of an order for 210 planes placed during US President Donald Trump’s visit to Qatar last year, the report said.

Airbus declined to comment on the delivery of aircraft to Qatar Airways.