The rule of the game is yet known to all aircraft manufacturers. Rule number one: never upset Akbar Al-Baker. Rule number two: Never irritate Akbar Al-Baker. Rule number three: meet the first two rules. If we do not yet know the exact reasons for the postponement of the delivery ceremony of the first series of A350 to Qatar Airways, led by the irascible Al-Baker, Airbus has clearly crossed a yellow line which marri leader. “It’s not a technical problem,” says does one good source, suggesting a dispute on the finish of the aircraft, as a few months ago on the first A380 Qatar Airways. Delivery, scheduled for 13 December has been postponed indefinitely, which plunged the Airbus Group as more than 10%, a rather incomprehensible fall in view of Benin nature of the announcement.
is not the first time that Qatar Airways cause of concern to the European aircraft manufacturer. In November 2011, Airbus had also treated to rigorous fly Qatar Airways boss Dubai Airshow, the company canceling an order in extremis ceremony for 50 A320 and 5 A380 NEO. “We thought we were going to make a huge announcement [with Airbus, Ed] this morning, whistled the boss of Qatar Airways in full Boeing press conference. Unfortunately, I have the impression that … Airbus is still learning to make airplanes . “dropoff window A few minutes later, Al-Baker handed a layer in alpaguant journalists: “This statement was in a very precise English, you should understand what I mean.”
The anger that last never long
As often with Al-Baker, everything is back to normal a few hours later with the announcement of the order 5 and 50 A380 A320 NEO, for a list price of 6, $ 4 billion. Further evidence that the nickname “U-Turn Al” nickname in reference to his taste for U-turns and other dirty tricks of negotiations, is far from being usurped. The head of Qatar Airways is one of those customers that would like to hate, they were not as essential for Airbus, Boeing. The company’s order book speaks for itself. 777X 50, 30, 787-8, ten A380s and 80 A350 XWB, Qatar is the first customer
However, Al-Baker happiness is turning its suppliers, in turn, with the regularity of a Swiss watch. Boeing had been right in 2009: “The disorder of the B787 program should have been treated for a long time if the management Boeing was interested in it, they would have seen it coming..” If we offered him the Boeing boss job? “I would take it, and many fall heads As my company must deliver on time” Rebelote end of 2010, still on the B787…. “I was really taken aback by the program. I never imagined that a program can undergo such a delay in a group like Boeing, which is so proud of its quality. They have clearly failed “
A small environment with strong personalities
A year later, rockets rained again Airbus.” Regarding the A350, which we learned new delays in the press, we really start to wonder: finally the B777 are they not as well as the A350 calibrated to the use we are going to do? The question is: do we really need “Even the association of IATA airlines took a beating”? IATA is led by a handful of people who work for their friends, some are elected without an election, as James Hogan (CEO of Etihad, the airline of Abu Dhabi, ed.) This association is directed mafia way. “
Blood Blows, rants, and then tinkering and big smiles for the cameras. This is the charm of a character while pinched facial expressions and mannerisms difficult repressed, which began as an accountant in Doha airport, running in parallel with a distribution company, the first to import brands in Doha. Since taking the head of Qatar Airways in 1997, the company does has been growing, outspoken too. Boeing and Airbus have learned to make do. “Akbar Al-Baker is a very demanding client, who speaks with sometimes crude words, ensured the Group number two Airbus Marwan Lahoud to Challenges last July. The airline industry is a small community of strong personalities, like Akbar Al-Baker, Tony Fernandes (AirAsia) and Tim Clark (Emirates). There are loud voices, hot discussions, but that’s what makes the salt of the industry. “Orders to several billion dollars are worth some inconvenience menus.
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