New York, June 16, 2025 — Boeing shares tumbled more than 5% on Monday following the deadly crash of Air India Flight 171, which killed over 200 people in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was en route to London when it crashed shortly after takeoff, also claiming dozens of lives on the ground.

The tragedy has reignited concerns over Boeing’s safety record, just weeks after the company reached a controversial agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice that allowed it to avoid criminal prosecution related to earlier safety lapses.

The drop ends a brief rally in Boeing’s stock price, which had been recovering after years of production delays, quality control issues, and two major crashes involving the 737 MAX series.

Industry analysts say the Air India crash could have lasting implications for Boeing’s Dreamliner program and its global reputation, especially in fast-growing aviation markets like India.

“Even with the DOJ deal in place, every new incident erodes confidence and creates fresh legal, commercial, and regulatory risks,” said Rebecca Lin, an aerospace sector analyst at Meridian Capital.

Boeing has yet to release a formal statement on the crash, though Indian authorities confirmed that the aircraft’s black box was recovered and a full investigation is underway.

The deal was formally signed during U.S. President Donald Trump’s state visit to Doha, in a high-profile ceremony attended by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Boeing executives, and U.S. government officials.

President Trump hailed the agreement as a “massive boost” to U.S.–Gulf economic relations, stating:

“This is the biggest order Boeing has ever received. It shows the strength of our partnership with Qatar and the unmatched quality of American aviation technology.”

The agreement includes a mix of Boeing 777X, 787 Dreamliners, and 737 MAX aircraft, which will support Qatar Airways’ global fleet expansion and modernization strategy. The airline is aiming to increase efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and serve new routes across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg called the deal “transformative,” noting:

“This order reaffirms Qatar Airways’ position as a global aviation leader and sets a new benchmark for commercial fleet development. We are honored to deepen our ties with Qatar.”

The $200 billion contract is expected to create thousands of jobs in the U.S. aerospace industry and enhance bilateral trade between the U.S. and Qatar. It also underscores growing economic cooperation between the Gulf region and American manufacturers amid shifting global alliances.

Qatar Airways, already one of the fastest-growing airlines in the world, plans to begin taking delivery of the new aircraft starting in late 2026.