Qatar commits to purchasing approximately 210 Boeing aircraft during Trump's visit
Rewritten Article:
In a momentous turn of events, Qatar Airways has sealed a groundbreaking deal with Boeing, securing as many as 210 American-made planes in what US President Donald Trump hailed as the largest ever order for the company. The economic deals, totalling over $243 billion, were agreed upon during Trump's tour of the oil-rich Gulf, with Qatar Airways committing to a massive $96 billion acquisition of Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft.
At a signing ceremony with Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Trump applauded the move, stating, "Congratulations to Boeing. Get those planes out there." Boeing shares, in response, surged by 1.5 percent in New York.
The aircraft deal extends beyond Boeing, as Qatar Airways will also obtain 400 GEnx and GE9X wide-body engines from GE Aerospace. According to GE chief executive Larry Culp, "This is our largest ever wide-body engine deal."
The order had been reportedly in the works since talks last year with both Boeing and Airbus. Analyst Addison Schonland of aviation consultancy AirInsight Group commented, "These orders are typically baked for a long time, especially now, with supply chain disruptions."
The order values Qatar Airways' existing fleet, which consists of 231 aircraft, including 64 Boeing 777s and 53 Boeing 787s. The deal is poised to generate approximately 400,000 American jobs and bolster Boeing's financial performance.
Trump's Middle Eastern tour, however, has stirred controversy, particularly over a luxury Boeing 747-8—valued at $400 million—offered by Qatar to temporarily replace Air Force One. Although Trump defended the "gift" as going to the defense department, Qatar maintains that the matter is still under consideration.
Qatar has made efforts to strengthen its ties with the US, acting as a mediator between the Taliban, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Israeli and Hamas officials, and other key players in the region. Trump's visit comes as Israel prepares to escalate its offensive against Hamas in Gaza, leading to heavy casualties and ongoing negotiations for a truce and hostage releases. Despite the ongoing conflict, there was no mention of Gaza in Trump's public comments during the visit.
- The investment in 210 planes from Boeing by Qatar Airways, amounting to over $243 billion, signifies a significant move in the business industry.
- The technology sector also stands to gain from the deal, with Qatar Airways purchasing 400 wide-body engines from GE Aerospace, marking the largest wide-body engine deal in GE's history.
- The financial implications of the aircraft order are far-reaching, with the deal anticipated to create approximately 400,000 jobs in the United States and boost Boeing's financial performance.
- The political landscape is influenced by this large-scale investment in the technology industry, as it comes amidst Qatar's attempts to strengthen ties with the US, playing a mediatory role in various international issues, including the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
