First Boeing Bird For Mideast Airline

Boeing and Qatar Airways celebrated the arrival Thursday of the first Boeing airplane to join the airline's fleet. Qatar Airways' new flagship 777-300ER arrived after a nearly 15-hour direct flight from Paine Field in Everett, WA.

Qatar has ordered a total of 27 777s with options for five additional airplanes. Qatar also has ordered 30 787 Dreamliners and holds 30 options.

Lee Monson, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president of Sales for the Middle East and Africa, led the Boeing contingent at Thursday's ceremonies in Doha.

"Today truly marks a milestone in our relationship with Qatar Airways," Monson said. "We look forward to a strong future of cooperation as we see Qatar's Boeing fleet expand to become the core of its operations."

As ANN reported, Qatar confirmed the order for 20 777s in September 2006. It was the first such order for the American planemaker to a major Middle-East customer for the year.

Airbus has dominated the airline fleet in this region since it first offered aircraft for sale. The 777 order will be completed by 2010.

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.qatarairways.com