Qatar Airways’ breakneck growth will slow after next big plane order, says CEO

Qatar Airways will end a period of breakneck growth after one more large aircraft order, its CE has said, claiming the service offered by competitors has gone downhill because they have expanded too fast. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said Qatar Airways Group, which includes the airline and Doha airport, was in talks with Airbus and Boeing over aircraft orders that will help it to increase passenger numbers from its current 50mn a year to 80mn annually over the next five to six years. But after that, “we will slow down,” he told the Financial Times in an interview. “We will reach capacity at [Doha’s Hamad international airport], and that’s it,” he said. “If we want to continue growing at the same speed, we can . . . But can I guarantee you that . . . I can provide the same level of service? No, nobody can do this,” he said, adding that at “many competitors inside the region and outside . . . the quality of the service has deteriorated and people are not getting what they’re paying for”. His comments hint at the fierce regional rivalry in the industry, where deep-pocketed sovereign owners use airlines as engines of growth and connectivity and to project soft power. Qatar Airways competes with Dubai’s Emirates and Abu Dhabi’s Etihad, which is expected to become the first regional airline to launch an IPO in two decades this year. Saudi Arabia has also outlined plans to expand its airlines and airports as part of efforts to diversify its economy. Etihad declined to comment, Emirates did not respond to a request for comment. Dubai has the world’s busiest international airport: Dubai International had a record of more than 92mn travellers in 2024. Last year the emirate announced plans to further develop one of its other airports, Dubai World Central, into a five-runway behemoth that will accommodate 150mn passengers annually within 10 years. Meer, who trained as an engineer, dismissed the idea that Dubai’s expanding capacity would affect Doha airport. “Would you rather have dinner at McDonald’s or go to a Michelin star restaurant?” he said. Qatar wants to attract more tourists and international business. Previously “we were not marketing it properly”, Meer said, but added that a “stop over” offering from Qatar Airways should help boost visitor numbers.<br/>