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Boeing (NYSE:BA) just landed another heavyweight orderand this time, it's from the UAE. During Donald Trump's high-profile visit to Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways committed $14.5 billion for 28 new Boeing 787 and 777X aircraft powered by GE engines. The aircraft are expected to start arriving in 2028. This comes as part of a broader $200 billion U.S.-UAE economic push, with Trump once again playing dealmaker-in-chief in the Gulf. While Boeing and GE declined to comment, the White House positioned the deal as a strategic win for American manufacturing and exports.
The timing couldn't be better for Etihad. The airline is accelerating fleet expansion under CEO Antonoaldo Neves, aiming to scale beyond 170 aircraft by 2030. This year alone, Etihad plans to add up to 22 new jets, including Airbus A321LRs and A350s. But the fresh Boeing order signals a long-haul focusand could be a critical piece of Abu Dhabi's broader economic diversification strategy. Backed by ADQ's $225 billion war chest, Etihad's fleet upgrades are more than operationalthey're geopolitical.
This week's deal also adds to Boeing's Gulf rebound story. Just days earlier, Qatar Airways signed a $96 billion agreement for 160 Boeing jets. Boeing stock has rallied over 50% since April lows, helped by easing trade pressures and a rebound in international demand. With the 777X now firmly back in the conversation and Gulf buyers stepping up, Boeing could be regaining altitude in wide-body aviationand GE might just ride that tailwind too.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.