WASHINGTON (Reuters) -
Boeing Co is set to sign a launch order from Qatar Airways for a new freighter version of its 777X passenger jet on Monday, in a Washington ceremony coinciding with a visit by the Gulf state’s ruling emir, U.S. officials said.
Reuters reported last week that the U.S. planemaker was in advanced negotiations with the Persian Gulf carrier for around 34 of the planned twin-engined freighters in a deal provisionally estimated to be worth $14 billion at list prices.
Qatar Airways has publicly said it is interested in buying up to 50 new-generation freighters, with the higher figure expected to include options that could lead to top-up purchases in the future.
It may also bridge to the new cargo version of the upgraded 777X with a handful of extra current-generation 777 freighters.
The deal represents the first order for a freighter version of the world’s largest twin-engined passenger plane, whose entry to service has been pushed back by more than three years to late 2023 or beyond.