Qatar Airways has decided to cancel its order for 25 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, opting instead to focus on expanding its fleet with Airbus narrowbody planes. This decision comes amidst ongoing certification delays affecting the Boeing 737 MAX 10, which is now not expected to enter commercial service until at least 2026. The airline had originally placed the order in 2022 during the Farnborough Airshow.
Boeing's certification issues have led many airlines, including United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, to seek alternative solutions due to delivery delays. Qatar Airways' cancellation of the Boeing order coincides with a substantial widebody aircraft deal with Boeing worth over $96 billion, involving commitments for 130 Boeing 787s and 30 Boeing 777Xs.
Qatar Airways CEO Badr Al-Meer stated that the airline's narrowbody fleet will continue to be composed of Airbus aircraft. "However, it doesn't mean that Airbus is out of the game. Our narrowbody [fleet] will continue to be Airbus. We are receiving 50 A321neos starting next year," he said.