Today, Qatar is one of the world’s growing commercial airplane markets, and its countries’ defense needs are rapidly expanding. Boeing values its partnerships with Qatar and is committed to building on those relationships for mutual benefit into the future.
Boeing Defense, Space & Security products have also made their mark. In 2010, Qatar’s national carrier’s colors were seen in a very different context when the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) used its Boeing C-17 Globemaster IIIs to airlift several tons of much-needed humanitarian aid to Haiti and Chile in response to disastrous earthquakes in both countries.
In December 2010, Boeing solidified its relationship with Qatar when it established its first office in the country. Operations at the Boeing office in Doha include the Defense, Space & Security business, Commercial Airplanes business and other support services that have significantly enhanced the level and quality of service that the company provides to its customers in Qatar. It enables Boeing to maintain in-person contact to further enhance its close working relationship with Qatar as part of the overall strategy to build long-term partnerships with customers and with the community.
Kuljit Ghata-Aura was appointed president of Boeing Middle East, North Africa and Turkey in September 2021. He is responsible for coordinating all companywide activities in the region and developing and implementing country and regional strategies. Ghata- Aura is based in Dubai, UAE.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
When Qatar Airways ordered 22 777s of various types in May 2006, it marked the start of a new relationship between Boeing and the State of Qatar. Less than one year later, and even before it took delivery of its first airplane, Qatar Airways placed a landmark order for 30 of the game-changing 787 Dreamliner airplanes.
Qatar Airways was the first airline in the Middle East to receive a 787, and it has now taken delivery of all 30 Dreamliners ordered. In 2014, Qatar Airways finalized its order of 60 777Xs, for which it is a launch customer.
In October 2016, Qatar Airways announced another significant order for 30 787-9 Dreamliners and 10 777-300ERs, once again validating the value, reliability and performance of Boeing’s twin-aisle airplanes. In addition, Qatar Airways also signed a Letter of Intent for up to 60 737 MAX 8s.
Two 747-8 Freighters and four more 777 300ERs were ordered in 2017, in addition to five 777 Freighters in 2018 and five more in 2019.
In January 2022, QA was announced as launch customer for the new 777-8F with a confirmed order of 34 airplanes with options for an additional 16 freighters. Qatar Airways also signed a MoU for 25 737-10.
Currently, QA operates approx.125 Boeing airplanes including (86) 777s, (37) 787s, and (2) 747-8 Freighters. It also operates a cargo fleet of (26) 777F, (2) 747-8F and an order for up to 50 777-8F. QA has approx. 99 Boeing aircraft on order (74 777X, 23 787-9 and 2 777F).
In its Commercial Market Outlook for the next 20 years, Boeing estimates that the Middle East passenger traffic and the region’s commercial fleet are projected to more than double over the 20-year forecast period. More than two-thirds of airplane deliveries to the Middle East will accommodate growth, while one-third of deliveries will replace older airplanes with more fuel-efficient models such as the 737 MAX, 787 Dreamliner and 777X.
The Middle East carriers will require 3,000 new airplanes valued at $700 billion and aftermarket services such as maintenance and repair worth $740 billion, with the region positioned to capitalize on the recovery of regional and international travel and cargo demand.
Boeing Defense, Space & Security
For years, Boeing Defense, Space & Security has supported the mission readiness of Qatar’s Armed Forces. Providing cutting-edge platforms such as the F-15QA (Qatar Advanced) fighters, the C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft, and the AH-64 Apache, Boeing is partnering with Qatar to support its defense capabilities across its air, land, and sea borders. These assets have been employed in various humanitarian missions worldwide and have played pivotal roles in surveillance operations during large-scale events in the country as recently as the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This partnership underscores Boeing's commitment to enhancing Qatar's defense and security needs and its broader dedication to regional security.
Boeing Global Services
Boeing operates a customer-focused office in Doha and the services teams working closely with QEAF, providing training and sustainment for the C-17 fleet. In 2020, the QEAF received the last of their 24 AH-64 Apache helicopters, and Boeing is providing spare parts, support and test equipment, maintenance manpower support, performance-based logistics, training devices, and aircrew and maintenance training. In 2019, Boeing was awarded a 5-year support contract to provide the QEAF with F-15QA program management, maintenance and aircrew training. Boeing is also providing maintenance and logistics support for the QEAF during their pre-delivery training, which commenced in January 2021.
Boeing is currently providing in-country spares, maintenance, training and logistics support for 36 F-15QA aircraft.
Qatar Airways uses Boeing Global Services digital solutions, including Maintenance Performance Toolbox, and Airplane Health Management and flight deck solutions powered by Boeing AnalytX. These solutions provide personnel with real-time access to maintenance, flight and aircraft performance information to optimize efficiency and lower fleet operating costs.
Boeing Capital Corporation
As a wholly owned Boeing subsidiary, Boeing Capital Corporation creates financing solutions for customers purchasing the company’s commercial airplane and defense products. As the company’s investment bank, it works closely with third-party financing sources that provide nearly all of the financing support required by Boeing customers. Boeing Capital also manages the company’s $3.5 billion portfolio of commercial jetliners.
Boeing Capital is continually strengthening its presence in the Middle East region, which is recognized as a high-growth area for commercial aviation with increasing demand for aviation financing. It regularly organizes events in the Middle East that are designed to engage the region’s finance community. Since 2006, Boeing Capital has hosted annual airline planning seminars for financiers in the Middle East, and its Middle East aircraft financier and investor conference has become an annual event.
In 2015, Boeing Capital appointed Ahsen Rajput to the position of deputy managing director for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region. Rajput is based in Abu Dhabi and is Boeing Capital’s first local hire in the region.
Boeing Capital is continuing to explore opportunities for Islamic finance in the aviation sector and the possibility of including aircraft finance in the Islamic sukuk, or bond market, in which an aircraft finance portfolio would be secured by an instrument known as the Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificate.