Qatar Airways may be eyeing Airbus A330 aircraft that were previously part of American Airlines’ fleet. These aircraft were inherited when American Airlines merged with US Airways. The move comes as Qatar Airways faces delays in aircraft deliveries, including the postponed 777X from Boeing.
According to sources, Qatar Airways is exploring the possibility of acquiring some of the stored A330-200s that were once operated by US Airways. These aircraft are currently sitting idle in storage. American Airlines had parked them at Roswell Air Center in early 2020, just before the pandemic disrupted global travel.
American Airlines has held onto 15 A330-200s, all of which were part of its acquisition of US Airways. The fleet also includes a variety of other aircraft types from the merger, including A319s, A320s, and A321s. Despite initial plans to retire the A330-200s, the airline opted to store them as the pandemic impacted travel demand.
By 2020, American Airlines had made the difficult decision to retire a significant portion of its fleet, including A330-200s. The decision was part of a broader strategy to reduce costs and streamline operations. As a result, Qatar Airways could acquire these aircraft at a lower cost compared to new ones.
If the deal goes through, Qatar Airways will bolster its fleet with additional A330s, which could help meet its growing demand for long-haul flights.
Qatar Airways continues to show flexibility in how it manages its fleet. By considering second-hand aircraft, the airline can expand its operations without waiting for delayed deliveries from manufacturers. This strategy may give Qatar Airways a competitive edge as the airline navigates the recovery of the aviation industry.
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