Qatar Airways is close to placing a large order for wide-body aircraft with Boeing, according to Bloomberg. The deal may be announced during US President Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East, scheduled to begin May 13, 2025.
The news portal reported that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are preparing investment announcements in connection with the US President's visit. According to Bloomberg, Qatar Airways is finalizing the "final details" of an order for around 100 Boeing wide-body jets, with an option for an additional 100 aircraft. Information about the pending agreement comes from people familiar with the matter.
As early as March 4, 2025, Thierry Antinori, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Qatar Airways, indicated to Reuters that preparations for a new aircraft agreement were underway. "To secure tomorrow's growth by continuing to have a very strong and best-in-class fleet, our CEO is working on the request for proposal (RFP) with the aircraft manufacturer to place a large order soon," Antinori said at the time. However, he left open whether a potential deal with Boeing, Airbus, or a combination of both was possible.
President Trump will first visit Saudi Arabia for talks with the country's de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He will then meet with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and then with the President of the UAE, Mohammed bin Zayed. Major economic agreements involving aviation are expected to be announced during this trip. Such a deal with Qatar Airways would be a significant victory for Boeing in a region that is investing heavily in its aviation infrastructure. The exact composition of the order in terms of aircraft types (such as the Boeing 777X or 787) remained unclear, but the magnitude indicates a comprehensive modernization and expansion of Qatar Airways' long-haul fleet.
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