Live updates: Follow the latest on Trump's Gulf trip
An order by Qatar Airways for up to 100 wide-body Boeing aircraft during US President Donald Trump's visit to Doha this week would be a major boost for the struggling US aircraft manufacturer.
The deal is expected to be signed as part of a series of bilateral agreements between the US and the Gulf countries, Bloomberg reported. The airline is also expected to announce option of another 100 jets from the US plane maker, the report said.
“For Boeing, any sizeable wide-body order, even after usual industry discounts, will provide not just guaranteed employment for its workers and grow Boeing’s backlog, it will also make other airlines consider their own future fleet needs, too,” Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at StrategicAero Research, told The National.
If big airlines like Qatar Airways are block booking orders, it means delivery slots are at a premium and “so this may well trigger further orders from other airlines – particularly for the hot-selling 787 family”, he said.
Mr Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE this week is part of a diplomatic sweep through the region. He aims to seal investment as well as corporate deals with close Gulf allies to boost his image as a dealmaker.
“While it could be argued there is a diplomatic angle [for the potential order], Qatar Airways operates some of the earliest 787s – so it stands to reason any order for new 787s will come down the line over a period of years, replacing these earlier models. Similarly, any 777X order will eventually supplant their current 777-300ER fleet,” Mr Ahmad said.
Boeing has been struggling to turn operations around after a turbulent 2024, when it navigated a large number of problems including a prolonged workers' strike, safety issues on some of its most widely used commercial planes, lower jet deliveries, overrunning costs of defence contracts and shake-ups in its senior management.
The company posted an annual loss of $11.8 billion for 2024, its biggest since 2020 and its sixth annual deficit in a row.
The plane maker has also come under increasing pressure after the US-China trade war sparked by Mr Trump's tariffs led to some Chinese airlines refusing to take deliveries of Boeing planes.
“It is understandable that Boeing's production challenges may hamper airline growth, but the reality is that airlines don’t have a lot of choice when it comes to buying aeroplanes – and not every rival Airbus aeroplane can fulfil or replace every competing Boeing aeroplane,” Mr Ahmad said.
“So, Qatar Airways is getting in early with a view to Boeing’s turnaround that will ultimately mean higher production rates, which in turn means the airline gets faster deliveries, newer aeroplanes, lower costs and boost efficiency.”
The longer-term knock-on effect, he added is “what’s at play here, not the current state of play”.
Qatar Airways, which operates flights to more than 170 destinations, is also expanding its route network amid strong long-haul travel demand.
Thierry Antinori, the airline's chief commercial officer, told Reuters in March that it soon planned to place a “big order” for wide-body jets to support its growth plans.
Meanwhile, Qatar is also in talks to supply the US with a Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet as a replacement for the ageing Air Force One, but denied the suggestion that the aircraft was a “gift”.
“The possible transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One is currently under consideration between Qatar's Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defence,” said Ali Al Ansari, Qatar's media attaché to Washington, stressing that no decision had been made.
The talks sparked a commotion in Washington after Mr Trump suggested the new plane was a “gift”.
Calling the plane a “flying palace,” ABC News, which first reported the story, claimed the jet would possibly be the most expensive gift yet received by the American government.
The UAE's journey to space
School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
Company profile
Name: Steppi
Founders: Joe Franklin and Milos Savic
Launched: February 2020
Size: 10,000 users by the end of July and a goal of 200,000 users by the end of the year
Employees: Five
Based: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai
Financing stage: Two seed rounds – the first sourced from angel investors and the founders' personal savings
Second round raised Dh720,000 from silent investors in June this year
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How to keep control of your emotions
If your investment decisions are being dictated by emotions such as fear, greed, hope, frustration and boredom, it is time for a rethink, Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG, says.
Greed
Greedy investors trade beyond their means, open more positions than usual or hold on to positions too long to chase an even greater gain. “All too often, they incur a heavy loss and may even wipe out the profit already made.
Tip: Ignore the short-term hype, noise and froth and invest for the long-term plan, based on sound fundamentals.
Fear
The risk of making a loss can cloud decision-making. “This can cause you to close out a position too early, or miss out on a profit by being too afraid to open a trade,” he says.
Tip: Start with a plan, and stick to it. For added security, consider placing stops to reduce any losses and limits to lock in profits.
Hope
While all traders need hope to start trading, excessive optimism can backfire. Too many traders hold on to a losing trade because they believe that it will reverse its trend and become profitable.
Tip: Set realistic goals. Be happy with what you have earned, rather than frustrated by what you could have earned.
Frustration
Traders can get annoyed when the markets have behaved in unexpected ways and generates losses or fails to deliver anticipated gains.
Tip: Accept in advance that asset price movements are completely unpredictable and you will suffer losses at some point. These can be managed, say, by attaching stops and limits to your trades.
Boredom
Too many investors buy and sell because they want something to do. They are trading as entertainment, rather than in the hope of making money. As well as making bad decisions, the extra dealing charges eat into returns.
Tip: Open an online demo account and get your thrills without risking real money.
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Sri Lanka squad for tri-nation series
Angelo Mathews (c), Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Janith Perera, Thisara Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Shehan Madushanka, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan and Wanidu Hasaranga
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes.
The trip
From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.
