THE QATAR AIRWAYS STORY Charting The Rise Of One Of The Fastest Growing Airlines In The World April 2009 Qatar Airways, the national airline of the State of Qatar, is one of the aviation industry’s success stories. The award-winning airline is also one of the fastest growing carriers in the world with unprecedented expansion averaging almost 40 per cent year on year that industry peers can only admire with envy. Since its relaunch in 1997, Qatar Airways has achieved staggering growth in fleet size and passenger numbers. From only four aircraft in 1997, the airline grew to a fleet size of 28 aircraft by the end of 2003 and a milestone 50 by October 2006. Today, the airline operates 68 Boeing and Airbus aircraft. By 2013, the fleet size will almost double to 110 aircraft. Qatar Airways currently has more than 200 aircraft on order worth over US$40 billion for delivery over the next few years.