US firms win big at Dubai Airshow

Washington, Nov 28 :  US companies were the big winners at the 2017 Dubai Airshow as UAE customers placed more than $44 billion in new orders for American commercial aircraft and defence-related equipment and services, an official statement said.

"US companies remain the preferred supplier for the United Arab Emirates commercial and military aviation requirements," said Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE Ambassador to the US. 

"US exports of commercial and military aircraft, services and equipment to the UAE make up the largest share of America's $19 billion trade surplus with the UAE," he said.

At the airshow, Emirates Airline placed firm orders for 40 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft valued at $15.1 billion. According to the US Department of Commerce jobs multiplier, this order alone will support 78,000 US jobs - both at Boeing and at its suppliers across the US.

Also at the Airshow, UAE-based regional airline flydubai announced a separate $27 billion order for 225 Boeing 737 MAX Airplanes, the largest-ever single-aisle jet order by a Middle East carrier. Flydubai operates an all-Boeing fleet of planes.

"The UAE's airlines rely on Boeing airplanes to meet the growing demand for air travel in the region, and between the region and Asia, Africa, Europe and North America," Al Otaiba said. 

"Over the last decade, UAE customers have purchased over $150 billion in Boeing aircraft, supporting hundreds of thousands of American jobs."

The 787-10 aircraft will be assembled at the Boeing facility in North Charleston, South Carolina, and the 737s will be manufactured in Renton, Washington.

In the defence sector, the UAE agreed to a $1.6 billion deal with Lockheed Martin to upgrade the UAE Air Force's fleet of 80 F-16 fighter jets. 

The UAE also announced a $684 million deal with US Raytheon for precision-guided munitions.

"The deals between UAE customers and US companies will support American jobs and help grow the US economy," the Ambassador said.