Qatar seals Boeing freighter deal with surprise 737 order

WASHINGTON/SEATTLE, Jan 31 (Reuters) – Qatar Airways handed Boeing Co (BA.N) a record launch order for 34 new 777X freighters and a surprise purchase of 737 MAX passenger jets on Monday, in a $30 billion-plus package as President Joe Biden hailed the Gulf state as a major U.S. ally.

The deal, signed at the White House during a visit to Washington by Qatar’s ruling emir, boosted Boeing at a time when the U.S. planemaker faces chronic industrial and financial constraints. The order drove Boeing shares up to close 5.1% higher.

The deal for 25 of the largest version of the MAX, the 737-10, plus 25 further options, widened the fallout from a dispute between Qatar Airways and Airbus (AIR.PA) .

The European planemakerearlier this month revoked a contract with Qatar Airways for 50 competing A321neo jets as part of a spiraling dispute that began with disagreements over the severity of flaws on long-haul A350 jets.Read more