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Nov 12 2011

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Boeing Sees Continued Growth for the Middle East

Speaking on the eve of the Dubai Airshow, Jeffrey Johnson, president of Boeing Middle East said: "Our legacy in the Middle East goes back more than 65 years, and throughout that time we have earned the trust of our partners and customers here through meaningful collaboration, contributions to the community, and providing the right services at the right time.

"We remain committed to further strengthening our presence and partnerships with governments, enterprises and customers to develop and grow regional aerospace infrastructure and capabilities."

The world's most advanced passenger jet, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, a tiltrotor military transport aircraft, will make their Middle East air show debuts amid a range of exciting products and services Boeing is showcasing at the week-long air show.

Boeing works with a wide range of customers and partners in the Middle East, including the region's leading airlines, national defense forces, communications enterprises and academic institutions. It maintains offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha and Riyadh and has a pool of highly qualified and dedicated personnel based in the region to support its customers.

Saudi Arabia is a significant market for Boeing, which counts Saudi Arabian Airlines and the Royal Saudi Air Force as longstanding customers. Boeing also holds the majority stake in Alsalam Aircraft Company, which performs heavy maintenance and modification on civil and military aircraft at its facilities in Riyadh.

"The value Boeing places on local partnerships is reflected in the number of successful ventures we have established over the years in Saudi Arabia and other parts of the region," said Ahmed Jazzar, president, Boeing Saudi Arabia. "Our relationship priorities with the Kingdom are in line with the King's vision for future and ongoing development for Saudi Arabia."

Boeing Defense Space & Security (BDS), is seeking to expand its regional footprint. Existing customers who already operate a wide range of Boeing systems are looking to further upgrade and expand their fighter, rotorcraft, airlift and battle-management capabilities.

"We have seen a tremendous amount of interest in our defense solutions from governments across the Middle East as plans for upgrading defense capabilities move forward," said Paul Oliver, BDS Middle East and Africa regional vice president, International Business Development. "We are constantly exploring opportunities to increase our customer base in the Middle East."

Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) counts the region's leading airlines as some of its key customers. Significantly, the Boeing 777 is the airplane of choice for these airlines' long-haul fleets, including Qatar Airways , Etihad Airways and Emirates Airline, which holds the unique distinction of being the only airline in the world to operate every variant of the 777 airplane. Boeing also holds a backlog of 131 Dreamliners on order from Gulf Air, Saudi Arabian Airlines , Etihad Airways , Qatar Airways and Royal Jordanian.

"The 787 Dreamliner represents the future of commercial aviation with its unparalleled passenger experience and operating economics and we are looking forward to showcasing it at the Dubai Airshow," said Martin Bentrott, BCA vice president for Sales for the Middle East, Central Asia and Russia. "Our products have served as the backbone of the region's aviation industry from the Boeing 707 in the 1960s to the Boeing 777 today. We are confident our newest products, such as the 787, the 747-8 and 737MAX, will continue to help us build on our successes in the region."

-Ends-

Contacts:
Fakher Daghestani
Boeing International Corporation
Mobile: +971 5 0625 4855
fakher.a.daghestani@boeing.com

Saffana Michael
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Mobile: +971 5 0459 0651
saffana.michael2@boeing.com

Felix Sanchez
Boeing Defense, Space & Security
Mobile: +1 562 537 0681
felix.sanchez@boeing.com

Boeing will hold a series of media briefings and activities during the show, as listed below. The company also is co-sponsoring the Middle East Air Chiefs Conference and the Engineering Student of the Year Award - part of the Flightglobal Achievement Awards - both of which take place on Saturday, Nov. 12.

Media at the show should check the briefing schedule daily at the Boeing-sponsored Dubai Airshow Press Center for updates. The company will highlight its air show activities through www.boeing.com/dubai2011 and through its Twitter feeds: @Boeing, @BoeingAirplanes and @BoeingDefense. The website contains program backgrounders and executive biographies and will be updated regularly with briefings, photos and videos from the show.

Note: All times listed below are local to Dubai

1000: Boeing Dubai Airshow press conference

• Venue: Executive Flight Services - Dubai Airport Free Zone

• Speakers: Jeffrey Johnson, president, Boeing Middle East; Ahmed Jazzar, president, Boeing Saudi Arabia; Paul Oliver, BDS Middle East and Africa regional vice president, International Business Development; and Marty Bentrott, BCA vice president for Sales for the Middle East, Central Asia and Russia

1300: 787 Dreamliner available for media viewing from 1300 to 1400

1400: V-22 Osprey media briefing

• Venue: Press Center Room 4 - Central Hall Rear

• Speaker: U.S. Marine Corps Col. Greg Masiello, V-22 Joint Program Manager, Naval Air Systems Command; Jean Chamberlin, BDS vice president and general manager, Mobility; and John Garrison, Bell Helicopter president & CEO

Monday, Nov. 14

1200: Heavy Lift Capabilities (C-17 and CH-47 Chinook) media briefing

• Venue: Press Center Room 3 - East Hall Mezzanine

• Speaker: Tommy Dunehew, BDS vice president, Business Development, Mobility

1300: 787 Dreamliner available for media viewing from 1300 to 1400

1300: Air Battle Management (AEW&C and P-8) media briefing

• Venue: Press Center Room 3 - East Hall Mezzanine

• Speaker: Egan Greenstein, BDS senior manager, Business Development, , Surveillance & Engagement

1400: BCA Middle East Current Market Outlook

• Venue: Press Center Room 3 - East Hall Mezzanine

• Speaker: Randy Tinseth, BCA vice president, Marketing

Tuesday, Nov. 15

1100: Global Strike (AH-6i and AH-64 Apache) media briefing

• Venue: Press Center Room 3 - East Hall Mezzanine

• Speaker: Mike Burke, BDS director, Business Development, Global Strike Attack Helicopters

1300: 787 Dreamliner available for media viewing from 1300 to 1400

1300: U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet media briefing

• Venue: Press Center Room 3 - East Hall Mezzanine

• Speaker: U.S. Navy Capt. Frank "Spanky" Morley, F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Manager

Wednesday, Nov. 16

1300: 787 Dreamliner available for media viewing from 1300 to 1400

Boeing and its customers will showcase the following products:

• 787 Dreamliner

• Qatar Airways Boeing 777-200LR (Longer Range)

• flydubai Next-Generation 737-800 with Boeing Sky Interior

• F/A-18E Super Hornet

• MV-22 Osprey

• AH-6i

• UAE Land Forces AH-64D Apache

• Turkish Air Force Boeing 737 AEW&C (Peace Eagle)

• F-15 Strike Eagle

• UAE C-17 Globemaster III

• UAE Special Operations Command CH-47F Chinook

© Press Release 2011