Iraq, Boeing confirm 2.2 billion-dollar plane order

[maddezmom]

Source: AFP

NEW YORK (AFP) - The Iraqi government has ordered 30 Boeing 737 commercial airplanes in a deal worth up to 2.2 billion dollars and taken options on 10 more, the two parties announced Monday.

Iraq also is "finalizing an agreement" to buy 10 of Boeing's new 787 Dreamliners, the touted long-range aircraft whose deliveries have been delayed until the second half of 2009.

Iraq's order for 30 Boeing 737-800 aircraft marked "the first step in re-establishing that country's scheduled commercial aviation operations," they said in a joint statement. The deal is valued at 2.2 billion dollars at current list prices.

Iraq has also contracted options for 10 additional 737s, at a list price of 747,500 dollars.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080505/ts_afp/usiraqaerospacecompanyboeing_080505211343

[Parche]

1. Great For Boeing

But is this $70billion supple going to pay for those planes?
:sarcasm: :sarcasm:

:hi:

[mr_hat]

2. On the face of it, that's legit. Takes big balls and great

hand/eye coordination to land doing the Baghdad Spiral (sure to be SOP for years to come).

The 737 is much more accommodating in this regard than the A320.

[Flagg]

8. Yeah, I'm sure that's the only reason the Iraqi government picked Boeing...

[Dr.Phool]

3. Don't forget!

They're going to build an amusement park next to the Green Zone too!

:silly: :wtf: :silly:

[endarkenment]

4. Where did Iraq get 2.2 billion from and why do they need

30 737 and 10 787 when they cannot even provide clean water, electricity, schools, hospitals?

This stinks.

[saigon68]

11. The US taxpayer will kick some Bucks In

Hey this clusterfuck costs 9 Billion a month---what's a couple Billion More?

[deminks]

5. Don't anybody tell John McSame..he'll throw one of his fits.

On second thought, somebody tell him but make sure you are filming his reaction.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

16. If McCain wants to make Boeing his bitch - that is fine with me.

it is just too bad the Democrats won't do it themselves.

[catnhatnh]

6. Umm...I read a book called "Inumberecy"...

about how many people lack basic math skills when reading newspaper articles....But for the love of GOD...look at the numbers in the story....IF the 2.2 billion figure is true....each 737 costs 73 million dollars per which is possibly accurate.Then they state they will buy 10 MORE 737s (though they later refer to 787s) at $747,500 which by ANY math is less than $8 million dollars and then claim that THAT is a $1.6 billion dollar deal...In short, the entire piece condemns itself as a passel of cow chips that can't even remember what they are buying when or wager a guess at how anything bought at a multiple of ten and a price of $7anything= $1.6 billion???? Or am I confused-and I did read the article.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

15. $747,500 could be the deposits on the options

an option is simply the right to buy additional airliners at pre-negotiated price in the future.

[FarCenter]

7. Complete idiocy

Considering that single country airlines are folding up all over the place, how does Iraq justify having an airline.

If the Swiss can't afford it, and the Italians can't make a go of it, it surely isn't economic for Iraq.

[stanley01]

9. lets give them a ride

lets buy some planes and learn to take off    but this time
lets learn how to land them full of fighters

[stanley01]

10. and while we are at it

lets sell many to the Chinese they do need a way to get here

[Sweet Pea]

18. Really.

Do you think that Iraq has no need for international flight, or even regional flight? Do you believe Iraq is not worthy of a national airline?

I think its great - yet another step towards becoming a self-sustaining member of the world community. Just because Alitlia is run by a bunch of idiots and the government meddles in areas it shouldn't, causing serious financial problems, doesn't mean no country should have a national airline.

[FarCenter]

20. Most of the countries of the world, including Iraq, are too small to support a "national" airline

Sabena is gone, KLM merged with Air France, etc.

Insolvent, basket-case little countries like Iraq don't need an airline.

This is someone throwing US taxpayer dollars to Boeing.

[Stuart G]

12. This will look good on the ":economic growth chart.."

So it will be added to figures released next month on the economy...(proof that the economy is not in a recession)..sure..

Then the order will be cancelled...say after a Democrat is elected........assholes......

[hunter]

13. Just make the check out to "cash," dad.

I'll fill out the amount when I get there.

[PSPS]

14. Payoff for Boeing's role as bush's "torture travel agent"

http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2006/10/30/061030ta_talk_mayer

[OhioChick]

17. Taxpayer Funded, I Presume? n/t

[Doctor Cynic]

19. I can see the ads now...

Iraqi Airlines...your trip will be a blast!

[customerserviceguy]

21. Maria Cantwell's

continued Iraq war funding is now assured...