The deal also serves as a showcase of trade relations between the U.S. 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 U.S. 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.”
Boeing shares jumped 4.3% to $198.82 at 3:36 p.m. in New York, the largest gain on the Dow Jones Industrial Average. General Electric Co., which makes engines for the two plane models, rose 2%.
