Qatar Airways has reached yet another significant milestone in its remarkable 14-year short history by taking delivery of its 100th airliner. The airline's newest commercial jet, a 259-seat Boeing 777-200 LR (Long Range) aircraft, was delivered to Qatar Airways at a ceremony in Seattle attended by Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker and Boeing Commercial President and CEO, Jim Albaugh. The aircraft later departed Boeing's Everett production plant on the US west coast for the 13-hour non-stop journey to Doha for immediate entry into commercial service. Qatar Airways now operates 27 Boeing 777 wide body long-haul aircraft, together with a mix of Airbus A320 Family jets, A330s and A340s to reach today's landmark figure of a 100-strong fleet. In a year when the award-winning Doha-based airline also launched its 100th destination and was named Airline of the Year 2011 in the annual prestigious Skytrax passenger survey, Qatar Airways' milestone accomplishments have earned tremendous global recognition among the industry and passengers alike. Speaking at the ceremony shortly before boarding the delivery flight to the Qatari capital, Al Baker said that the airline had come a long way in a short time since its 1997 launch with a handful of aircraft and handful of routes. “The industry has watched us closely as we rapidly developed a truly global network of flights to reach all corners of the world with a modern fleet of aircraft to give the travelling public the high levels of service and travel options that they fully deserve,” said Al Baker. “Since April we have not only launched our 100th route, but have also been given the greatest accolade an airline can ever ask for – that of Airline of the Year – and, now, reaching a third major milestone of operating 100 passenger and cargo aircraft following the latest delivery,” he added. BM
