Qatar ready to launch low-cost carrier

BUDGET PLANS: Qatar Airways saYS it Is ready to set up a budget airline to repel any attack by a rival airline on its home market. (Getty Images)

Qatar Airways on Tuesday unveiled a deal to buy up to six Airbus A321 planes and said it was ready to set up a budget airline to repel any attack by a rival airline on its home market.

Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al-Baker told reporters that setting up a low-cost carrier depended on rivals eroding Qatar Airways' market share but he was ready to "launch a low-cost carrier within 90 days".

Qatar Airways it had signed a memorandum of understanding to buy up to six A321 narrow-body aircraft from European planemaker Airbus in a deal worth around $540 million at list prices. Four were firm, two were options.

Al-Baker also said he was in negotiations with Airbus to buy further A320-family aircraft and hoped to make a further announcement soon.

The chief executive was also interested in Bombardier's new CSeries 100-145-seat aircraft.

Tunisair meanwhile was set to confirm an order for Airbus A350s, A330s and A320s on Tuesday after signing a letter of acceptance for three A350-800s, three A330-200s and ten A320s earlier this year worth around $1.9 billion at list prices (Reuters)

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