Boeing’s Turnaround Gains Altitude as India Eyes Massive Aircraft Order
After nearly seven years of turbulence, Boeing just caught a major tailwind. India’s set to order up to $80B in aircraft under a new trade framework that targets $500B in US exports over five years. For a planemaker nursing $47B in losses since the 737 MAX disasters, recent deals (and financial results) prove momentum is lifting off.
- Under the deal, US goods enter India tariff-free, while Indian exports face 18% (down from 50%) — with aircraft orders “yet to be placed but ready,” per Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.
- The deal fills a critical gap after China’s order freeze in 2017 — building on recent deals with Qatar and British Airways that helped’s orders beat rival Airbus.
Turning the corner: Boeing’s $8.2B Q4 profit marked its first in three years and only its third since early 2019, signaling the bleeding has stopped. But the real test is execution and deliveries (where payment happens). The firm needs FAA sign-off on delayed aircraft variants, and faces potential strikes at key factories this fall. Orders provide plenty of runway, but Wall Street’s watching if the planemaker can finally stick the landing.
