Boeing to Sell More Than 200 Jets to Qatar Airways

Boeing (NYSE:BA) and Qatar Airways on Wednesday announced a deal for the Middle Eastern airline to buy up to 210 jets, notching the U.S. planemaker’s largest-ever order of widebody aircraft.The order — the biggest in Qatar Airways’ history — includes 130 of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliners and 30 of its much-delayed 777-9s, with options for up to 50 more planes, the companies said in a press release.Qatar Airways also signed an agreement with GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE) for more than 400 engines to power the Boeing planes, those companies said in another joint release.The purchase of widebody aircraft engines is the largest in GE Aerospace’s history, according to the release.Boeing and Qatar Airways struck the agreement during President Donald Trump’s state visit with the emir of Qatar, part of the president’s four-day tour of the Middle East.Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg appeared alongside Trump at the Amiri Diwan in Doha for the signing ceremony.“This is a critical next step for Qatar Airways on our path as we invest in the cleanest, youngest and most efficient fleet in global aviation,” Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said in a statement. “This is so we can meet the strong demand in the airline as we seamlessly connect passengers to the world better than anyone.”BA shares began Thursday hiked $3.12, or 1.5%, to $207.83.