Qatar Airways Secures $96 Billion Order for Boeing Aircraft During Trump Visit

During a significant visit by the President of the United States, Qatar Airways has finalized a monumental agreement with Boeing for the purchase of long-range aircraft valued at approximately $96 billion. This deal was announced amid a series of economic agreements signed during the President's tour of the Gulf region.

The state-owned airline has placed an order for 130 Boeing 777X jets and 30 Boeing 787 aircraft, with options for an additional 50 similar planes. The engines for these aircraft will be supplied by GE Aerospace, with the Munich-based MTU Aero Engines also participating in one of the engine programs.

The U.S. government has estimated the total value of this contract to be around $96 billion, although President Trump initially suggested that the figure could exceed $200 billion. The White House has indicated that the cumulative value of all agreements signed with Qatar during this visit amounts to $243 billion.

President Trump and Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, were present during the signing ceremony, which involved Boeing's CEO Kelly Ortberg and Qatar Airways' CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer in Doha, marking the second stop on Trump's Gulf itinerary. According to comments made by Ortberg, this order represents the largest in Boeing's history, while GE's CEO Larry Culp noted that this marks the largest single order for the 400 engines being supplied from Qatar.

However, it will be several years before the first of these aircraft are delivered to Qatar Airways. The Boeing 777X, which is still in development, is scheduled for its first deliveries in 2026, six years later than originally projected. Qatar Airways has previously ordered 94 units of this model, while Emirates has secured orders for 205.

Details surrounding the pricing of the order remain somewhat unclear. Boeing no longer discloses list prices, but it is known that the average price for the 777X has been around $400 million per unit. Typically, customers making large orders receive significant discounts, often reaching up to 50% off the list price, making the final figures for such contracts complex to ascertain.

Prior to this visit, President Trump faced scrutiny regarding his acceptance of a luxury jet from Qatar, which he plans to utilize as Air Force One. The White House has dismissed concerns over potential conflicts of interest, stating that the Boeing 747-8 will be classified as a 'donation' to the Pentagon.