Qatar Airways announced that it reached a deal with Airbus to delay the delivery of new planes as the impact of COVID-19 lingers, while it is in continuous discussion with Boeing about the deferrals.

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al-Baker told the recently concluded CAPA Australia Pacific Aviation Summit that the airline will pursue the deliveries once demand in the market is back.

"We have the ability to bring forward the deliveries if there is a rebound in air travel," al-Baker said without providing specific details.

He noted that Qatar Airways remains in discussion with American planemaker, Boeing, for the same.

"As far as Boeing is concerned, we are still in negotiations with them. But regardless of what they feel, an aircraft manufacturer needs to oblige [to] customers in difficult times," al-Baker noted.

"People who will not oblige and stand with us in this difficult time will not see us again."

According to Airbus' website, Qatar Airways has ordered 27 A350-1000s and 50 A321neo planes, while it has 60 B-777X, five B-777 freighters, and 23 B-787-9s on order from Boeing.