=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SF Gate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/news/archive/2003/12/09/f= inancial0737EST0015.DTL ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday, December 9, 2003 (AP) Qatar Airways to buy four jets from Airbus in $3 billion deal RAWYA RAGEH, Associated Press Writer (12-09) 04:37 PST DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Qatar Airways has decided to buy four Airbus aircraft for $3 billion, including options to purchase another 10 planes, its chairman said Tuesday. Qatar Airways's Akbar al-Baker signed the deal Tuesday with Airbus CEO Noel Forgeard at the Dubai Air Show. The deal is a blow to rival Boeing, which has been hurt by bad publicity over ethical scandals and the resignation of its chief executive this month. Al-Baker said Qatar Airways had chosen Airbus over Boeing because the European manufacturer was "more suitable for our route structure and route profitability." Qatar Airway will buy two A340-600 jets and two A380s -- the giant aircraft termed super jumbo that is due to take its first flight in 2005 -- al-Baker told reporters. The purchase of the A380 planes, plus options to buy another two, costs $1.2 billion. The purchase of the A340-600 jets, plus options to buy another eight, costs $1.8 billion. Al-Baker said the planes that Airbus will deliver to the airline will ha= ve substantially fewer seats than the maximum available because Qatar Airways wants to give its passengers more space. Qatar Airways' A340-600 planes will offer 325 seats instead of the maximum 380, and its A380 planes will have 460 seats instead of the maximum 555. Qatar Airways has plans to spend $5.1 billion on expanding its fleet of = 28 aircraft to 52 planes by 2008. Qatar is building a new airport outside the capital Doha at a cost of $2 billion. The first phase of construction, scheduled for completion by early 2009, will allow A380 super jumbos to land. On the Net: Qatar Airways: www.qatarairways.com =20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2003 AP