ch-aviation
• Hilka Birns
Qatar Airways has fully retired its A330 passenger fleet, telling Reuters that the older widebodies are no longer economical amid higher fuel costs and prolonged disruption to Gulf aviation linked to the Iran war. The move marks another step in the carrier’s widebody fleet modernization.
Qatar Airways
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Qatar Airways has fully retired its A330 passenger fleet, telling Reuters that the older widebodies are no longer economical amid higher fuel costs and prolonged disruption to Gulf aviation linked to the Iran war. The move marks another step in the carrier’s widebody fleet modernization.
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Qatar Airways has permanently retired its remaining Airbus A330 passenger aircraft, which stopped flying in late February after disruptions linked to the Iran war. The aging widebodies had remained in service roughly four years longer than planned because production delays held up their replacement aircraft; pilots are being offered temporary assignments with RwandAir.
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Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary says the airline will not add a fuel surcharge despite rising jet fuel prices, citing hedging through summer 2026. He expects competitors to pass costs to passengers, potentially accelerating failures and consolidation, while Qatar Airways is also holding off on fare increases for now.
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The ongoing conflict in Iran has become the biggest crisis in Qatar Airways’ more than three decades of operation, CEO Hamad Al-Khater said. The airline has taken measures to adapt to the conflict, underscoring the operational and strategic exposure of Gulf carriers to regional instability.
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Singapore Airlines has been named the world’s best airline in Skytrax’s 2026 rankings, moving ahead of Qatar Airways, which placed second, and Cathay Pacific, which ranked third. The results underscore the competitive importance of cabin comfort and service as airlines differentiate their long-haul offerings.
Singapore’s Competition and Consumer Commission has approved a cargo joint business agreement between Qatar Airways Group, IAG International Airlines Group Cargo and MASkargo. The agreement permits coordination on scheduling, pricing and sales across the partners’ global cargo networks.
Qatar Airways plans to expand its fleet by 138 aircraft over the next five years, according to CEO Akbar Al Baker. The announcement signals a significant capacity and fleet-growth commitment by the Gulf carrier, with implications for future deliveries, financing and network expansion.
Qatar Airways Cargo has begun operating between Doha Hamad International Airport and Helsinki Vantaa Airport, establishing Finland’s first dedicated, scheduled cargo connection to Asia and adding a new link between the Nordic market and the carrier’s Doha network.
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