Qatar Airways, one of the world's leading air cargo carriers, announced a commitment today to purchase five additional 777 Freighters from Boeing. The deal, valued at US$1.8 billion at list prices, was unveiled at the Paris Air Show and signed in the presence of Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti, Qatari minister of transport and communications.

“I am very pleased that Qatar Airways has today signed this landmark order for five new Boeing 777 Freighters to add to our cargo fleet,” said Akbar Al Baker, CEO of the Qatar Airways Group. “It will increase our 777 freighter fleet by a full 20%, enabling us to further develop our business and offer new customers the chance to experience a truly first-class logistics service. This is an order that will propel our growth and, I firmly believe, confirm us as the leading cargo operator in the world.”

Qatar Airways has rapidly grown its air cargo operations to serve more than 60 global destinations, becoming one of the top international air freight operators in the world. The latest freighter deal builds on the airline’s 777 Freighter order book as the airplane has become the backbone of Qatar Airways freighter fleet. It currently operates 23 freighters, including 16 777s.

Customers have ordered 217 777 Freighters since the program began in 2005, including a record 45 units in 2018. Boeing provides more than 90 percent of the global dedicated freighter capacity.