Airbus had delivered 139 A380s through August. The plane maker plans to deliver 30 A380s next year to meet a target of handing over the first of the super jumbos that reach break-even after years of losses.
The decision on whether Qatar Airways will buy more planes will depend on how the initial ones do in service, Mr. Al Baker said. The Qatar Airways executive has a reputation as a difficult-to-please customer and repeatedly delayed taking delivery of the airline's first A380 so Airbus could fix quality shortcomings.
Mr. Brégier said A380 performance has steadily improved and now has reached 98.5% dispatch reliability, a measure of flights taking off without technical delays. Further improvements will be pursued to get above 99%, he said. The aircraft maker completed a fix to a door leak issue that caused cabin noise. The design change now is being installed on existing planes.
Mr. Al Baker said he is ready to buy additional Airbus long-range jets, including the A330neo for the carrier's Saudi Arabian unit. Qatar Airways may place an order for 10 A330neos, which features upgraded engines to boost efficiency, and take options for 20 more.
Qatar Airways also is due to receive the first A350, Airbus's newest long-range jet, before year-end. Mr. Al Baker said he didn't anticipate repeated delivery delays as was the case on the A380.
Mr. Brégier said Airbus expects authorities to grant safety approval for the A350 "reasonably soon."