Summary
News reports this week have emerged suggesting that a fleet of mothballed Airbus A330 aircraft previously operated by American Airlines could be heading to Qatar Airways soon.
What’s the Story?
The reports suggested that Qatar Airways, which is currently plagued by delays in deliveries of new aircraft, is desperate for more capacity to satisfy demand from passengers on its busy network.
The airline has already reactivated retired Airbus A380 aircraft in recent years, but ongoing delays with Boeing 787 deliveries and certification of the new 777X, of which Qatar Airways has 60 on order, has hampered the airline’s ability to meet demand.
American Airlines A330 Fleet
American Airbus A330
American Airlines operated a fleet of Airbus A330 widebody aircraft between 2013 and 2020. This comprised both the A330-200 and -300 models, and were acquired as part of the merger with US Airways.
These aircraft were used on long-haul services, with a three-class configuration. However, as the Covid-19 pandemic took hold American chose to consolidate its fleet and retire various types.
Despite their relatively young age, the A330 fleet was retired and sent to Roswell Industrial Air Center for storage, with an uncertain future.
Qatar’s Plans
Now, however, Qatar Airways is reportedly interested in reactivating this aircraft, which have an average age of 13 years, to use on its regional and long-haul network.
The airline has a long history of operating the A330, and still has ten examples in its fleet.
It is thought that the Middle East carrier is only interested in the A330-200 variants.
Returning these American A330s to service should be a relatively simple task. They have been well maintained and with their cabins complete.
What is not yet certain is how long Qatar Airways will fly these aircraft for, and whether they will be painted in the airline’s full livery and refitted internally with its own seating.
Title Image: Konstantin Nikiforov (GFDL 1.2 <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html> or GFDL 1.2 <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html>), via Wikimedia Commons
