Qatar Airways a confirmé une commande de 34 des cargos 777-8 de l’avionneur américain.
Boeing Co. formally launched a freighter version of its 777X jetliner as Qatar Airways struck one of the largest cargo deals on record, giving the US planemaker an edge over longtime rival Airbus SE.
The Doha-based carrier placed a firm order for 34 of the 777-8 freighters plus options for an additional 16 jets, the companies said Monday. That total includes 20 jets converted from a previous order for a passenger version of the 777X. The outlines of the deal were first reported by Bloomberg last week.
Qatar also agreed to take 25 of the largest version of Boeing’s 737 Max narrowbody jet, with options for another 25 of the workhorse aircraft.
The blockbuster order bolsters Boeing’s decades-long strength in air freighters as Airbus, which is locked in a bitter feud with Qatar Air, tries to muscle into the market.
The deal also serves as a showcase of trade relations between the US and Qatar. The announcement came at a White House ceremony with Boeing Chief Executive Officer Dave Calhoun, Qatar Airways boss Akbar Al Baker and other officials that coincided with a meeting between Qatar’s ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and US President Joe Biden.
“It will be an absolute world-beater,” Calhoun said of the freighter. “It will offer Qatar the highest payload and the lowest fuel costs.” LINK TO ARTICLE
