Abu Dhabi / Doha / Riyadh – U.S. President Donald Trump’s whirlwind tour of the Middle East has turned into what analysts call the biggest aviation sales pitch in Boeing’s history, with record-breaking multi-billion-dollar deals inked across the Gulf region.
In a landmark announcement during his stop in Abu Dhabi, President Trump revealed a $14.5 billion agreement between Etihad Airways, Boeing, and GE, signaling deepening U.S.-UAE aerospace and energy partnerships. The deal includes the purchase of Boeing’s next-gen wide-body aircraft and advanced GE engines, along with long-term service and maintenance contracts.
“This deal not only strengthens our commercial aviation ties but also showcases American innovation and industrial leadership,” President Trump said during the signing ceremony. “It’s a win for American jobs and a win for Middle Eastern connectivity.”
Qatar Airways Signs Mega Deal for 160 Boeing Jets
While in Doha, Trump presided over another major announcement as Qatar Airways committed to purchasing 160 Boeing twin-aisle jets, cementing its long-term fleet modernization strategy. The deal, estimated to be worth tens of billions of dollars, comes at a time when Qatar is aggressively expanding its global routes amid regional competition.
Saudi’s AviLease Joins the Boeing Bonanza
Adding to the aviation frenzy, Saudi Arabia’s leasing giant AviLease signed a deal for up to 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft during Trump’s stop in Riyadh. The move bolsters the Kingdom’s ambitions to become a major regional and international aviation hub under its Vision 2030 economic plan.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Together, the deals from Etihad, Qatar Airways, and AviLease represent over $50 billion in aviation commitments, making President Trump’s visit one of the most commercially consequential U.S. diplomatic missions in recent memory.
Aviation analysts say the announcements not only highlight the region’s rebound from COVID-era travel downturns but also show the Gulf’s growing reliance on American aerospace technology for economic diversification.
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A Tour Blending Diplomacy and Deal-Making
Critics and supporters alike are calling Trump’s tour “a masterclass in sales diplomacy” — blending geopolitical influence with commercial outreach. As one regional analyst put it:
“This wasn’t just a presidential visit; it was a strategic business campaign with Air Force One as the backdrop.”
With AI, defense, and energy partnerships also on the agenda, the aviation agreements may just be the beginning of what President Trump is touting as “a new era of American engagement in the Middle East — led by enterprise, not endless wars.”
