Qatar Airways this week confirmed an order valued at $1 billion for 18 Gulfstream aircraft during a White House ceremony witnessed by Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar, and President Donald Trump. The orders were announced as the leaders jointly vowed to further cooperation between the two nations.

The latest deal, previously announced by Gulfstream parent General Dynamics as from an “undisclosed” customer, follows orders made in 2015 from Qatar Executive for up to 30 Gulfstream jets, deliveries of which Qatar Executive executive v-p Ettore Rodaro told AIN in May would be completed in 2022. Qatar Executive is the business jet subsidiary of Qatar Airways. Gulfstream said the latest deal represents a new order.

No timeline on the delivery sequence for the new orders was given. “The order, worth over $1 billion, is for 14 Gulfstream G650ERs and four Gulfstream G500s, and will add to Qatar Executive’s growing fleet that currently includes six G650ER and four G500 aircraft,” Qatar Airways said yesterday.

“Qatar Airways is very pleased to confirm this landmark deal with Gulfstream,” Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar Al Baker, said. “Our corporate jet division, Qatar Executive, goes from strength to strength and this commitment to new orders will allow us to offer our bespoke luxury service to even more passengers.”