Qatar Airways has thrown its weight behind the troubled Jet manufacturer, Boeing, which has encountered criticism and global ban after two of its newest Boeing 737-Max 8 jet models fell off the sky within the space of five months.
The reason why Qatar Airways is supporting Boeing is hinged on the aircraft manufacturer’s technical ability. The Chief Executive of Qatar Airways, Akbar al-Baker, said he believes Boeing has the necessary ability to resolve the technical issue the Boeing 737-Max 8 has.
“As far as I am concerned, I have full confidence in Boeing and their ability to resolve any technical issue.”
The technical fault has been linked to a software known as MCAS (an anti-stall system) and the sensors that activate it. MCAS pushes the plane’s nose down if it believes it is ascending at too steep an angle. But a report by Nairametrics disclosed that Boeing‘s hasty manufacturing of the Boeing 737 Max 8 model contributed to the deadly crashes that claimed over 200 lives.
List of Boeing supporters
al-Baker’s comment follows the declaration of Ethiopian Airways, Air Peace and Kenya Airways to stick with Boeing and restrain from cancelling their previous orders of the Boeing 737-Max 8 jets.
However, Indonesian airline, Garuda Indonesia, is not flying the same route. The company cancelled its order of the model a few weeks ago.
While Qatar Airways has concluded not to cancel the Max 8 order, the timeframe for the April delivery will now be extended until the investigations into the crash of Ethiopian Airways and Lion Air have been concluded. The extra time will also enable Boeing to fix the technical fault and apply its findings in all its Boeing 737-Max 8 fleets.
“I am sure that the aircraft will get back into the skies soon and that Boeing will get to the bottom of what happened and if there is something technical wrong that they will find a fix for it.”
Qatar Airways had ordered 20 MAX jets and is committed to buying a further 40. It has taken delivery of five of the aircraft.
No Airbus alternative for Qatar Airways: The airline operator is not looking to change manufacturer. It ordered the MAX jets after a dispute with Airbus over an order for their similar sized A320neo aircraft.
