‘We’ll be in the Middle East for the next 100 years,’ Boeing senior exec says

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The pilot of the 747-class Boeing E-4B Advanced Airborne Command Post carefully flies the plane is it is refueled in midair by a U.S. Air Force KC-135 April 6, 2011 over the Atlantic Ocean. The E-4B is taking U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates from Washington to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he will begin at trip to the Mideast for a series of meetings with regional leaders.

Earlier this year, several defense and commercial deals were announced between Boeing and Saudi Arabia. These included agreements from Saudi Arabia to purchase Boeing Chinook helicopters, P-8 military aircraft and guided weapon systems as well as a joint venture with the Kingdom to provide services for a wide range of military platforms.

However, there is growing regional instability, particularly between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, a developing political crisis in Lebanon and an economic blockade of Qatar.

Allen said Boeing would persevere, however, despite the challenges posed by the region.

“As I said, we’ve been in this region for 70 years, we’ve lived through every season and every cycle imaginable and where we are is going to be marked by the same characteristics — Boeing’s commitment to the customers, Boeing following the lead of the U.S. government where there are government-to-government matters that have to be addressed, and Boeing looking to bring the most innovative, efficient and effective products and systems to customers.”

It was announced Sunday that Gulf airlineEmirates had ordered 40 Boeing 787-10 Dreamlinersfrom the aircraft maker in a provisional order worth $15.1 billion. The news surprised the industry as Emirates was expected to announce a tranche of Airbus A380s instead.

Allen said: “Our business succeeds when we help our customers win and they have to win in their marketplace, so it’s the case for our customers here in the Middle East but all around the world that if we’re helping them win the our business is strong and right now we’ve got a pretty order book.”