Qatar Airways could be the launch customer of re-engined A320

Qatar Airways could be the launch customer of a new re-engined version of the A320 which Airbus is believed to be unveiling at Farnborough Air Show in July.

The Doha-headquartered airline already operates 25 A320-family aircraft and has orders for 20 more but is also evaluating a possible deal for Bombardier's CSeries twinjet.

According to Flightglobal, Qatar’s chief executive Akbar Al Baker has confirmed the airline is studying the proposed upgraded A320 family, which is expected to be offered with CFM International's Leap-X advanced turbofan and a version of Pratt & Whitney's GTF geared turbofan. Qatar Airways has also had a long-running evaluation of the GTF-powered CSeries.

"We continue discussions with Bombardier about a possible CSeries order this year," Al Baker said. "We are also waiting to hear what Airbus is going to do, as Qatar Airways wants to operate leading-edge technology to get the best seat-mile costs and lowest greenhouse emissions."

He said that the airline may opt for either the CSeries or the re-engined A320 family, or sign for both, and expects to firm up any move this year. If Qatar opts for the CSeries, Al Baker said the airline would avoid being the first customer to introduce the aircraft.

Airbus chief operating officer for customers John Leahy has said he aims to decide on the launch of the new A320 family by Farnborough in July and that, if it goes ahead, the upgrade will be offered as an option on the A319, A320 and A321, delivering a 15% reduction in fuel-burn.

While the prospect of the upgraded A320's becoming a reality looks promising, Al Baker is reportedly less convinced about Boeing's proposed 737 re-engining because of its shorter landing-gear and more complicated engine installation. "It will be a harder engineering challenge for Boeing than for Airbus," Al Baker told Flightglobal .