Joe Wilson: Saudi Arabia-Boeing deal benefits Aiken County
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Aug. 14—Boeing's agreement to sell up to a total of 121 787 Dreamliner aircraft to two Saudi Arabian airlines will benefit Aiken County and the Midlands, U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., said Monday.
Wilson, a Republican who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Middle East subcommittee, said two Aiken County businesses make parts for the North Charleston-built 787 Dreamliner.
"The benefit is right here," Wilson said at USC Aiken on Monday morning.
He said AGY, located on Wagener Road, makes the interior of the planes. Wilson said Zeus, located near the intersection of U.S. 78, East Pine Log Road and Wagener Road, makes the tubing in the planes.
He added Prysmian, located in an industrial park between Interstate 20 exits 51 and 55 in Lexington County, makes the cabling in the planes.
"Central South Carolina benefits with one of the largest aircraft purchases in the history of the world," Wilson continued.
Saudi Arabia and Boeing announced the deal March 14. In the agreement, two Saudi Arabian airlines, Saudia and the newly formed Riyadh Air, agreed to purchase 39 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
Saudia holds an option to purchase an additional 10 aircraft, and Riyadh Air has an option to purchase 33 additional aircraft.
If both airlines exercise their options, the deal will be valued at around $37 billion.
Wilson said he would soon visit the oil rich kingdom as part of a Middle Eastern tour that also includes Israel and Turkey.
Before his Middle Eastern tour, Wilson will continue the bus tour that brought him to USC Aiken .
Wilson said he plans to stop in Lexington and Richland counties — the Second Congressional District includes Columbia's suburbs and Fort Jackson — followed by Barnwell and western Orangeburg counties.
He added the last stop will be Shealy's Bar-B-Que in Batesburg-Leesville.
