In a significant move for the aviation industry, Qatar Airways has reached a historic agreement with Boeing for the acquisition of 160 widebody aircraft. This deal, formalized during a signing ceremony in Doha, includes an impressive 130 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 30 Boeing 777-9 models, along with options for an additional 50 aircraft. The agreement marks Boeing’s largest order for widebody jets and its most substantial order for the Dreamliner series.
The White House has valued this monumental agreement at approximately $96 billion, although this number may not reflect the considerable discounts typically associated with commercial aircraft transactions, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
During the signing ceremony, key figures such as Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al Meer, and Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani were in attendance, underscoring the significance of this agreement for both parties.
Apart from this aviation deal, President Donald Trump made headlines earlier in the week for considering a unique gift from the Qatari royal family: a Boeing 747 intended to replace the current Air Force One aircraft. Despite ethical considerations raised by various parties, Trump expressed intent to accept the offer, stating it would be a beneficial deal for taxpayers. He emphasized on his social media platform, “Only a fool would not accept this gift on behalf of our country.”
Further reports from ABC News indicate that the gifted aircraft is expected to be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library foundation after his term concludes.
As the aviation industry continues to recover and expand post-pandemic, this landmark order from Qatar Airways is poised to enhance global connectivity and drive advancements in air travel technology through Boeing’s latest aircraft innovations. Delivery timelines for these aircraft have yet to be disclosed, but the implications of this deal will undoubtedly resonate within the aerospace sector for years to come.
