FARNBOROUGH, England--Qatar Airways Tuesday confirmed the
purchase of 50 Boeing Co. 777X aircraft and committed to buying 50
more of the revamped jumbo jet.
The total deal for 100 jets is worth $40 billion at list prices,
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said at the
Farnborough International Air Show. Qatar also ordered eight
current-generation 777 freighters. The commitment for the first 50
jets was first placed at the Dubai Air Show in November.
Emirates Airline and Qatar said in November that they joined
forces to negotiate with Boeing for the almost $100 billion in
deals they signed for the new 777X passenger jet.
Emirates last week also confirmed its order for 150 777X in a
deal valued at $56 billion at list prices. It also holds purchase
rights for an additional 50 777X jets. The aircraft is being sold
in two different sized versions, the 777-8X and the 777-9X.
The revamped version of the 777X jet was designed specifically
for the Gulf carriers and their strategy of connecting cities via
one stopover in their hubs. Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways also said in
November that it would buy 25 777X, becoming a launch customer for
that version of the aircraft. Lufthansa SA, All Nippon Airways and
Cathay Pacific are also customers.
The three Persian Gulf carriers require jets designed to take
off in extreme heat in the summer months and with the ability to
fly longer distances, criteria the 777X meets.
Write to Rory Jones at rory.jones@wsj.com and Jon Ostrower at
jon.ostrower@wsj.com
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