Qatar Airways will be showcasing three state-of-the-art aircraft from its fast-growing fleet at the upcoming Singapore Airshow from February 16 to 18.
The three-time ‘Skytrax airline of the year’ winner will be showcasing the A350, for which it was the global launch customer, and its superjumbo A380. Also on display will be Qatar Executive’s newly acquired Gulfstream G650ER — the industry’s most advanced business jet.
Held biennially since 2008, the Singapore Airshow is widely regarded as Asia’s largest and finest airshow. To be held at the Changi Exhibition Centre, the 2016 edition of the Singapore Airshow will have more than 1,000 companies from more than 50 countries in attendance, with mainstay events such as the exhibition, aerobatic display and static display — popular with both exhibitors and visitors alike.
Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar al-Baker said: “Qatar Airways is delighted to be participating again in this year’s Singapore Airshow, in an increased capacity. The three aircraft we will be displaying demonstrate our technologically advanced and fast-growing young fleet. We have just celebrated our one-year anniversary of A350 operations, and already we are embarking on another milestone with the world’s newest civilian aircraft, the Gulfstream G650ER, which many visitors will have the opportunity of seeing up close at the Singapore Airshow.”
The Doha-based carrier made its debut at the Singapore Airshow 2014 by exhibiting the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to hundreds of show visitors. This year, Qatar Airways’ participation extends beyond the static aircraft display, as the airline has introduced a bespoke visitors chalet to receive and extend its award-winning hospitality to esteemed guests, media and trade partners.
Qatar Executive’s Gulfstream G650ER recently joined the fleet and will be displayed at the Singapore Airshow. The business jet is the first of 30 latest-generation Gulfstream aircraft ordered by Qatar Executive, and is capable of flying non-stop from the Middle East to North America or from destinations in Asia to Africa — farther and faster than any other jet of its kind — and is perfectly suited for those whose travel needs include flying halfway around the globe.
The A350, now flying thrice-daily from Doha to Singapore, features customised interior settings, with its business class cabin comprising of some 36 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration and its economy class cabin in a 3-3-3 configuration, allowing it to seat 247 passengers.
Also on display will be the airline’s bespoke twin-deck A380 ‘superjumbo’ aircraft — one of the most technologically advanced and highly sophisticated aircraft in the world. With a total of 517 passenger seats in first, business and economy classes over two decks, it is the largest passenger plane in the world.
Qatar Airways currently flies six A380s to London, Paris and Bangkok from Doha.