Sailors taxi an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the “Kestrels” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137 across the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the South China Sea, May 12, 2025. Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations on a scheduled deployment, demonstrating the U.S. Navy's unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Franklyn M. Guage)

A Sailor directs an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the “Kestrels” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the South China Sea, May 12, 2025. Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations on a scheduled deployment, demonstrating the U.S. Navy's unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Franklyn M. Guage)

A U.S. Pennsylvania Air National Guard KC-135 Statotanker aircraft from the 171st Air Refueling Wing out of Pittsburgh provides fuel for U.S. Air Force F-15 Strike Eagles, from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, May 9, 2025. The air refueling mission was part of routine proficiency training. (U.S. Air National Guard photos by Master Sgt. George Perkins)


RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and AviLease, a global aircraft lessor headquartered in Saudi Arabia, announced the lessor has placed its first direct order for Boeing airplanes with a firm purchase for 20 737-8 jets and options for 10 more.

The deal enables AviLease to scale up its growing portfolio and provides its customers with the latest generation, fuel-efficient aircraft.

"We are pleased to conclude our first direct Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) order, complementing our growth strategy towards being at the top of the industry," said Edward O'Byrne, CEO of AviLease. "Building on our recently achieved investment grade ratings, this transaction proves our ability to transact across all market channels, including sale and lease-back, secondary trading, M&A and now direct OEM purchasing. These new aircraft will accelerate our growth and enable us to deliver the industry's latest generation, fuel–efficient fleet solutions. We extend our gratitude to the Boeing team for the strong long-term relationship we have built."

The single-aisle order aligns with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's strategic plan to transform the country into a global aviation hub. The airplanes will support the country's goal of serving 330 million passengers and attracting 150 million visitors annually by 2030.

"We are honored to strengthen our relationship with a key Saudi Arabian commercial aviation partner and expand the global 737 MAX fleet," said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. "The 737 MAX will diversify AviLease's portfolio by delivering unrivalled fuel efficiency and market-leading versatility. It's a powerful combination that will fuel AviLease's profitable global expansion and support their airline customers' business and sustainability goals."

The Boeing 737, with a large global customer base and low operating costs, is a cornerstone of the leasing industry, representing approximately 30% of all financed airplanes.

Four Typhoon FGR4 arrive in Estonia.
Typhoons from Operation Chessman have arrived in Estonia ahead of their national Defence Exercise, Hedgehog 25, lead by Estonian Defence forces.
They will provide Air Land integration, working alongside allied ground forces.
(Photos courtesy of the RAF)

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (May 12, 2025) U.S. Navy catapult officers signal to an F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2, on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (Official U.S. Navy photo)

An image of a Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) F-35A during a first-of-its-kind wing removal process. The F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) and the ROKAF partnered together to salvage an inoperable ROKAF F-35A to be used as a maintenance training platform for ROKAF personnel. Courtesy Image.

James Sutton, 412th Maintenance Instrumentation Squadron flight test instrumentation technician, stands next to F-16C tail number 83-1120 at Edwards Air Force Base, California, May 7. Sutton was a former dedicated crew chief for 83-1120, the third-ever F-16C model ever built, which departed Edwards for the last time enroute to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Generation Group at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. (Air Force photos by Giancarlo Casem)

Two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 54th Fighter Group wait on a runway after an evening flight at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, May 7, 2025. The 54th FG is responsible for producing a majority of the Air Force’s F-16 fighter pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Elijah Strickland)

DOHA, Qatar, May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Qatar Airways and Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced the carrier will purchase up to 210 widebody jets, which sets new records as the largest widebody order for Boeing, including the largest order for 787 Dreamliners and Qatar Airways largest-ever order. This purchase, which also includes additional orders for Boeing's new 777-9, will support approximately 400,000 jobs in the U.S. and position the award-winning Middle Eastern airline for further international expansion.

The order includes:

130 787 Dreamliners, the long-range, ultra-efficient widebody airplane family that has delivered a 25% fuel-use improvement compared to airplanes it replaces and superior comfort for passengers. Ten orders were previously booked as unidentified.
30 777-9s, the world's largest twin-engine airplane that is designed to set new standards in efficiency by reducing fuel use and emissions by 25% compared to the airplanes it replaces, while elevating the passenger flight experience.
Options for an additional 50 787 and 777X airplanes.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump and His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Amir of the State of Qatar joined Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg, Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stephanie Pope and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer to witness the order signing.

"We are happy to announce our agreement with Boeing and our partnership in the largest aircraft order in our history. A critical next step for Qatar Airways on our path as we invest in the cleanest, youngest and most efficient fleet in global aviation. This so we can meet the strong demand in the airline as we seamlessly connect passengers to the world better than anyone," said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer. "After two consecutive years of record-breaking commercial performance and with this historic Boeing aircraft order we're not simply chasing scale, we're building strength that will allow us to continue to deliver our unmatched products and customer experiences. We thank our Boeing partners for answering the call and look forward to a future of continued smart growth together."

"We are deeply honored that Qatar Airways has placed this record-breaking order with Boeing, one that solidifies their future fleet with our market-leading widebody airplane family at its center," said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Our team is looking forward to building 787s and 777s for Qatar Airways into the next decade as they connect more people and businesses around the world with unmatched efficiency and comfort."

Qatar Airways currently operates more than 150 Boeing airplanes, including 777 and 787 passenger jets and 777 Freighters. With this purchase, Qatar Airways will become the largest 787 Dreamliner operator in the Middle East.

About Qatar Airways
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways won the 'World's Best Airline' for the unprecedented eighth time at the 2024 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organization, Skytrax. Qatar Airways has been the World's Best Airline in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2024. The airline continues to be synonymous with excellence, also taking home, 'World's Best Business Class', 'World's Best Business Class Airline Lounge', and 'Best Airline in the Middle East'. As leaders in industry innovation and digital adoption, Qatar Airways was also recently voted the 'World's Best Airline Website' by World Travel Tech Awards.

Qatar Airways was the first Airline in the Middle East to be certified to the highest level of IATA's Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) program, based on recognized environmental management system principles (such as ISO 14001). As an inaugural signatory to the Buckingham Palace Declaration in March 2016, Qatar Airways became the first airline globally to be certified to the industry standard for the prevention of illegal wildlife trafficking in aviation.

Qatar Airways currently flies to over 170 destinations worldwide, connecting through its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport, the 'World's Best Airport', as voted by Skytrax in 2021, 2022, and 2024. In 2024, Hamad International Airport also received the 'Best Airport in the Middle East' accolade for 10 consecutive years, as well as 'World's Best Airport Shopping' for the second year in a row.

About Boeing
A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.

Nashville, TN (May 14, 2025) – Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, has signed Memorandum of Understandings (MOU) with V2X, DigiFlight, Delaware Resource Group (DRG) and TRU Simulation, an affiliate of Textron Aviation Inc., to begin collaboration on the strategic development of Bell’s offering for the U.S. Army’s Flight School Next program.

Bell and these four companies share a rich history in industrial cooperation and expertise in the various disciplines required to execute a modern, high-tech and rigorous training programs. This collaboration will be critical in delivering a comprehensive training solution to future Army aviators.

“Bell has been a trusted provider of military pilot training since 1946,” said Jeff Schloesser, executive vice president, Strategic Pursuits, Bell. “This group of companies represent a collective commitment to delivering a trusted, high-performing, technologically advanced and low-risk aviator training program to the Army customer that will ensure they are prepared for dynamic and challenging combat environments.”

The Bell 505 is a versatile, five-seat aircraft designed for reliability and efficiency, equipped with the latest technology to meet the demands of modern flight training. The aircraft features a fully integrated Garmin G1000H NXi avionics suite and a Safran Arrius 2R engine with dual-channel FADEC, making it an ideal platform for military training.