Boeing Co. plans to establish a Middle East headquarters in Dubai.
The Chicago company intends to set up a spare parts warehouse, a distribution facility and a maintenance training center to service the Middle East region. Boeing expects operations to begin by the end of 2017.
“We have taken a strategic decision to establish our regional headquarters in what will become an unrivaled logistics and aviation hub,” Boeing president and CEO Dennis Muilenburg said in a news release. “This agreement demonstrates Boeing’s commitment to our customers in the region and support for the Dubai government’s vision for Dubai South.”
Separately, Boeing and Jet Airways, India’s premier international carrier, on Monday announced an order for 75 737 Max 8 airplanes.
The order, worth about $8 billion based on list prices, comprises converting 25 Next-Generation 737s to Max8s as well as options and purchase righs for another 50 jets.
The sale, previously attributed to an unidentified customer, was announced at the 2015 Dubai Airshow.
“Boeing is proud that Jet Airways will be the first airline in India to take delivery of the 737 Mas,” Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner said in a news release.
And Boeing and India’s Tata Advanced Systems said they’ve created a joint venture to make aircraft parts. The venture will first focus on parts for the AH-64 Apache helicopter. The companies say the joint operation will compete for other manufacturing for Boeing commercial and defense aircraft and possibly collaborate on development.
