Akbar Al Baker Calls A350 “Crap Test Airplane”

There’s nothing I love more than some good old drama, and in the airline industry there are three sources of that for me:

• La Compagnie
• The Alaska vs. Delta battle in Seattle
• The delivery of Qatar Airways’ A380s

Regarding the Qatar Airways situation, a couple of weeks ago I posted a link to a video of Qatar Airways’ CEO, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, discussing the A380 delays:

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek5lV6bwQH0

What I missed is the interview he did with Reuters around the same time, which is even more amazing. I think it could compete with the Real Housewives of New York Season Finale (I think Aviva deserves a hand for her amazing performance there!):

Anyway, this Reuters clip is from around the same time, but even better:

“I’m very disappointed with Airbus that they did not bring my A380 to show at this very important air show. Instead they chose to bring their crap test airplane. I would have preferred that they showed this hugely, modern, state-of-the-art, fantastic Qatar Airways A380.”

Then he goes on to claim that the delay is entirely on Airbus’ side. We don’t totally know the cause of the current delay, but even assuming that’s the case, it doesn’t account for the cause of the original delay, which was indeed due to the delayed opening of the Hamad International Airport (not that His Excellency would ever acknowledge that, much less take any blame for it).

Is this guy amazing, or what?

(Tip of the hat to @MeckinsNL)