Qatar Airways and Emirates are the only customers with firm orders for Boeing’s 777-8 model; its date of entry into service will partly depend on customer demand.

On Thursday, according to a statement from the chief executive of Qatar Airways, it may convert 10 of its orders for the Boeing Co’s ultra-long-range 777-8 widebody jet to the larger 777-9, depending on the performance of the 777-9.

“If the 9 is performing very close to the parameters that the 8 will operate, yes we may convert the 8 to 9,” said Akbar al-Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways on the sidelines of an event to launch a new route from Doha to Langkawi.

Incidentally, Qatar Airways and Emirates are the only customers with firm orders for Boeing’s 777-8 model, which the planemaker is also trying to sell to Australia’s Qantas Airways Ltd.

On Wednesday, an executive from Boeing had said, the date of entry into service for the 777-8 will depend partly on customer demand.

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Tags: 777-8, 777-9, Akbar al-Baker, Australia, Boeing Co, convert, customer demand, customers, Emirates, firm orders, jet, orders, parameters, performance, Qantas Airways Ltd, Qatar airways, widebody