Record Agreement Signed In Doha For 160 Aircraft

Qatar signed a record-setting agreement to purchase as many as 160 aircraft from Boeing on May 14 during President Donald Trump’s visit to the country on the Persian Gulf, part of his Middle East trip that has seen other significant trade deals announced.

The agreement, the largest ever for Boeing, was signed in Doha by Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg and Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer with President Trump looking on along with  Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

President Trump mentioned the deal is for 160 aircraft and worth over $200 billion in his remarks during the signing ceremony.

The specific makeup of the aircraft models covered in the order was not revealed, nor was it known if the entire deal is made of firm orders involving contracts and down payments or if it includes options.

It had been reported that the order would include 100 widebody aircraft with an option for 100 more, but Boeing declined to confirm that and Qatar Airways make any comments either.

President Trump’s tour began on May 13 with a stop in Saudi Arabia, where the two leaders signed a raft of agreements totaling nearly $600 billion in both trade and Saudi investment commitments in the U.S.

The President is also on track to receive a VIP Boeing 747-8 as a gift from the Qatari ruling family, which he plans to use as a temporary replacement for Air Force One until the U.S. government receives its own being manufactured by Boeing that are delayed.

The United Arab Emirates, the next and final stop on Trump’s visit, has committed to investing $1.4 trillion in U.S. businesses over the next decade.

FMI:  www.boeing.com/