(NewsNation) — A deal has been signed by Qatar Airways to purchase betweeen 160 and 200 Boeing jets, according to the White House.
“This historic agreement will support 154,000 U.S. jobs annually, totaling over 1 million jobs in the United States during the course of production and delivery of this deal,” the White House said.
The jets will be produced and delivered over a seven-year period, from 2029 to 2036.
Boeing has not yet confirmed or commented on details of the agreement.
The deal, which includes Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliner jets, could give one South Carolina city a major job spike at its Boeing manufacturing plant.
The North Charleston plant is where all 787 Dreamliners are assembled, said Scott Stocker, who is the vice president and general manager . It currently employs more than 8,000 workers.
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Mayor Reggie Burgess said while he’s not sure exactly how many jobs the Qatari deal could bring, his city will “fill them all.”
“We’re talking about thousands and thousands of jobs,” he added.
Local business owners told NewsNation the deal would be a game-changer.
“Most of our business, our contractors, they are truck drivers, they’re just working-class people. And if it can bring more of those in here, then it would definitely, definitely improve everything for us,” said Li Farmer, a restaurant manager in North Charleston.
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Korean Air recently agreed to purchase up to 50 Boeing planes, some of which will be assembled in North Charleston.
It’s a big boost for Boeing after a tough year, production problems and worker strikes.
Though the company has seen some layoffs in recent months, Boeing announced a plan in December to invest $1 billion in North Charleston’s plant, with a goal of adding 500 jobs in the next five years.
