Boeing-China deal paves way for future business



EVERETT, Wash. -- A huge announcement Wednesday by the president of China will give our region a big boost.

Chinese airlines have agreed to buy at least 300 Boeing jetliners. It’s one of the largest deals ever for the aerospace giant, valued at nearly $40 billion.

The agreement is more important than the number of jets.  It also means that Boeing is in a good position to get a big piece of what will be a huge airplane market there in the years to come.

Between now and 2034, Chinese companies are expected to order more than 6,300 planes valued at nearly $1 trillion.

The deal was announced during a ceremony at the Boeing plant in Everett.

“We just want to say how much we appreciate, how much we value the trust and the confidence you have placed ... in our products,” said Ray Conner, president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

The deal also included an unprecedented commitment by Boeing to build a jet delivery center in China.  Workers there will outfit the interiors and paint planes before final delivery to Chinese customers.  It’s the first Boeing facility outside the U.S., and that is raising concerns with local Machinists union members.

Boeing insists this move won’t result in any layoffs in our region.