Qatar Airways takes delivery of its first B737 MAX
Dhaka: Qatar Airways took the delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX.
The MAX 8s, some of which were ordered by Russia's S7, should be replacing the airline's older Airbus A320-200s and will operate shorter international flights.
The aircraft is configured with eight seats in business and another 168 in economy class.
As per reports, at least nine of Qatar Airways 'new' 737 MAX 8s will come from an order placed by Russia's S7. These S7-ordered aircraft have been made undeliverable due to sanctions prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The 737 MAX 8 will fly alongside Qatar Airways' Airbus A320-200 aircraft. The airline currently operates 29 of these Airbus aircraft, with its oldest being about 13-and-a-half years of age. Its youngest A320-200 is seven-and-a-half years at the time of publication. Overall, the A320-200 fleet has an average age of nearly 11 years.
Since a core concern of Qatar Airways is having a young and modern fleet of aircraft, the A320s are 'aging out' of the airline's preferred age. Thus, the 737 MAX will help Qatar Airways achieve and maintain its goal of operating a young fleet of aircraft.
Current destinations where the A320-200 is deployed are numerous. However, reports showed that the Airbus narrowbody flies as far as Zagreb (Croatia), Zanzibar (Tanzania), Hyderabad (India), and Tbilisi (Georgia). In time, the MAX 8 might operate on routes like these as well.
- T
