Qatar Airways CE Al Baker planning large aircraft order soon

Qatar Airways said it’s poised to make a major jetliner purchase, adding to a backlog of more than 340 outstanding orders for Boeing and Airbus planes. The carrier will place a “large” aircraft order “soon,” CE Akbar Al Baker said Wednesday, without elaborating on the number or class of jets required. “Qatar Airways has a continuous plan of fleet expansion and fleet replacement in order to keep the average age of our fleet very young,” Al Baker said. Qatar Air’s order book includes 80 Airbus A320neos -- a deal that may be at risk after Al Baker declined to take delivery of the first planes because of engine cooling issues, saying that he was exploring the option of switching to Boeing’s 737 Max. The airline has also said it may help to renew the fleet of Italy’s Meridiana Fly after agreeing to buy a 49% stake. <br/>