DOHA — In a major aviation agreement signed during U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Qatar, Qatar Airways has inked a deal with American aerospace giant Boeing for the purchase of 160 aircraft, with the total value claimed to exceed US$200 billion.
The signing ceremony took place in Doha, where President Trump and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani jointly witnessed the high-profile announcement. The deal marks a significant highlight of Trump’s multi-nation Gulf tour, following major agreements signed in Saudi Arabia the previous day.
According to Trump, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg told him the agreement represents “the largest order of jets in Boeing’s history”, a claim yet to be verified independently. “That’s fantastic,” Trump said during the event. “Let’s get those planes out there.”
Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer also attended the signing, standing alongside Ortberg, as both leaders lauded the strategic partnership between the two nations’ industries.
While exact aircraft models included in the deal were not disclosed, industry experts suggest the figure may include high-value models like the 777X. Based on historical price data—though Boeing no longer publishes catalogue prices—a deal of this magnitude could be valued around US$70 billion, considering industry-standard discounts on bulk orders.
Both Qatar Airways and Boeing have not provided immediate clarification on whether the orders are firm commitments or preliminary options, which could affect the actual scale of the deal. Aviation analysts note that while the headline value of such deals often grabs attention, final order confirmations typically unfold over time and are subject to regulatory and logistical adjustments.