Boeing shares rose to their highest level in nearly 13 months after the U.S. aerospace manufacturer secured a record $96 billion (€85.8 billion) aircraft order from Qatar Airways, part of broader trade agreements reached during President Trump’s Middle East tour.
The deal includes 130 787 Dreamliners and 30 777X aircraft, marking “the largest widebody order for Boeing, the largest order for 787 Dreamliners, and Qatar Airways’ largest-ever order,” according to the company. Boeing claims the agreement will support nearly 400,000 U.S. jobs.
Qatar Airways CEO Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said: “After two consecutive years of record-breaking commercial performance, and with this historic Boeing aircraft order, we’re not simply chasing scale — we’re building strength.”
Boeing shares climbed 2% to a 52-week high on Wednesday following the announcement.
The Qatar agreement forms part of $243.5 billion (€209 billion) in deals struck during Trump’s visit to the Gulf state, following a $600 billion (€535 billion) investment plan made with Saudi Arabia earlier this week.
“The landmark deals celebrated today will drive innovation and prosperity for generations, bolster American manufacturing and technological leadership,” the White House said in a statement.
The agreements represent a major win for Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, who accompanied Trump on his Middle East trip. On Tuesday, Boeing secured an additional $4.8 billion (€4.3 billion) deal for 737-8 MAX jets with Saudi Arabia-based aircraft lessor AviLease.
Trump is scheduled to visit the United Arab Emirates today, with analysts speculating that further Boeing deals may be signed with Emirates airline.
The deals come as Boeing seeks new markets after China halted orders in late April in response to Trump’s tariffs. The company has remained unprofitable since 2018, with its 737 MAX facing repeated groundings over safety and production concerns.
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