Doha: Qatar Airways has successfully navigated numerous challenges in recent years, emerging stronger and more efficient due to proactive planning, according to the airline's Chief Technology Officer, Eng. Ali Al Saadi. He assured Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the national carrier of the State of Qatar has strategically prepared for worst-case scenarios to ensure operational readiness.
According to Qatar News Agency, Al Saadi made these comments during a media open day at Hamad International Airport (HIA), where Qatar Airways showcased its key facilities, including the Integrated Operations Center, aircraft maintenance and repair facilities, and the Disruption Management and Customer Support Center. He emphasized the airline's commitment to passenger safety and operational continuity, supporting nearly 600 daily flights to over 160 destinations worldwide.
Al Saadi pointed out that the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Center (MRO) plays a crucial role in the airline's operational readiness. The center, a major global facility, spans an area equivalent to 13 football fields and holds assets and inventory valued at approximately $4 billion, excluding the aircraft themselves.
The center boasts a massive spare parts and equipment warehouse valued between $1.5 billion and $2 billion. Additionally, it houses nearly 80 engines, valued at around $2 billion, marking it as one of the largest airline spare-parts inventories globally. Operationally, the MRO can accommodate 14 aircraft simultaneously and carries out about 170 heavy maintenance and 15,000 light maintenance events annually through its 22 specialized shops.
Eng. Al Saadi also highlighted Qatar Airways' leadership in aviation technology, with ongoing cabin modernization efforts across its fleet, including the installation of Qsuite seats and the expansion of high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi. The center is committed to workforce development and fostering national leaders in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030.