Trump drives Boeing’s billion-dollar aircraft deals in Middle East with Saudi Arabia and Qatar
Boeing lands orders for nearly 200 aircraft during Trump’s Middle East tour. Saudi Arabia and Qatar confirm major deals to modernize their fleets.
Boeing certainly was the luckiest after U.S. President Donald Trump's Middle East tour. Just yesterday, an order from Arabia Saudi for up to 30 737 MAX jets came through.
Additionally, Qatar Airways also made an order but for at least 160, and while the full details are under wraps, it is expected to be for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner long-haul aircraft.
Saudi Arabia confirms order for 30 Boeing 737 MAX jets
AviLease officially confirmed the order for Saudi Arabia of 737 MAX narrowbody planes. The order, originally 20 planes 737-8 with option to up it to 10 more, is also the first time the lessor has placed a direct order with Boeing.
According to Edward O’Byrne, CEO of AviLease, the company is very happy to have made the order. “We are pleased to conclude our first direct Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) order, complementing our growth strategy towards being at the top of the industry.” He also highlighted the fact that the new planes would give them the opportunity to have "the industry’s latest generation, fuel–efficient fleet solutions.”
Qatar Airways places order for at least 160 Boeing 787 Dreamliners
The Qatar Airways Group, currently has a mix of 269 Airbus, Boeing and Gulfstream aircraft. The company, which includes, Qatar Airways, Qatar Airways Cargo, and Qatar Executive, apart from 9 relatively new Boeing 737 MAX 8 narrowbody aircrafts has 92 Boeing 777s of almost 11 years.
The order was signed by Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, who had accompanied President Trump to Doha, along with a delegation of business executives.
