Boeing Might Keep 717 - WSJ

tjwgrr · 12-07-2001, 10:22 AM

Boeing Might Keep Its 717 Airliner - WSJ
Friday December 7, 3:32 AM EST

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The world's biggest planemaker Boeing Co. (BA) has apparently buckled under customer pressure and will continue to offer its 717 airliners, The Wall Street Journal said on Friday.

Pressure from existing and potential customers, including some airlines in China, has apparently convinced Boeing to keep its 717 jetliner instead of discontinuing it as many in the industry predicted, the newspaper said in its online edition.

Chicago-based Boeing has said it will decide by year-end whether to stop building the 106-seat 717s, its smallest and slowest selling jet and the last production model remaining from McDonnell Douglas, which Boeing bought in 1997.

But Boeing has not said what a shutdown would mean for customers holding the 53 remaining orders for 717s, which are assembled in Long Beach, California.

The newspaper quoted a Boeing executive familiar with the situation as saying: "A month ago, anybody you asked around here would have said the 717 was dead."

"Now, the pendulum seems to be swinging the other way," the executive said, according to the paper.

The company said about 4,000 to 5,000 workers are employed at its Long Beach, California, facility that makes the plane, the newspaper added.

Boeing would not say which way it is leaning; nor will it discuss the criteria for making the decision, The Wall Street Journal said.

The Boeing board will probably be briefed on the future of the 717 at a meeting early next week, it said.

©2001 Reuters Limited.

Sean1999 Ram Air TA · 12-07-2001, 10:59 AM

A big mistake for Boeing if they decided to dump the 717.

I must say it's a very nice plane I flew on a Air Tran 717 a few weeks back

Sean

Tony Sepanski · 12-07-2001, 01:14 PM

Everything I've read about the 717 is it is a great airplane and meets or exceeds all promises. The problem is no one will buy the damn thing in any kind of quantity. If no one will buy it, why would you keep it around draining your cash reserves?

And don't say it's because Boeing treats it like a red-headed stepchild. I know for a fact they have given this a harder marketing push than any other airliner they've ever produced.

DeltaFlot · 12-07-2001, 01:48 PM

I think Boeing needs to be patient and give the plane some time to actually let word of how good it really is get around to all the other airlines, then things should pick up.

12-07-2001, 10:22 AM	#1
tjwgrr Senior Collector Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 471	Boeing Might Keep 717 - WSJ Boeing Might Keep Its 717 Airliner - WSJ Friday December 7, 3:32 AM EST NEW YORK (Reuters) - The world's biggest planemaker Boeing Co. (BA) has apparently buckled under customer pressure and will continue to offer its 717 airliners, The Wall Street Journal said on Friday. Pressure from existing and potential customers, including some airlines in China, has apparently convinced Boeing to keep its 717 jetliner instead of discontinuing it as many in the industry predicted, the newspaper said in its online edition. Chicago-based Boeing has said it will decide by year-end whether to stop building the 106-seat 717s, its smallest and slowest selling jet and the last production model remaining from McDonnell Douglas, which Boeing bought in 1997. But Boeing has not said what a shutdown would mean for customers holding the 53 remaining orders for 717s, which are assembled in Long Beach, California. The newspaper quoted a Boeing executive familiar with the situation as saying: "A month ago, anybody you asked around here would have said the 717 was dead." "Now, the pendulum seems to be swinging the other way," the executive said, according to the paper. The company said about 4,000 to 5,000 workers are employed at its Long Beach, California, facility that makes the plane, the newspaper added. Boeing would not say which way it is leaning; nor will it discuss the criteria for making the decision, The Wall Street Journal said. The Boeing board will probably be briefed on the future of the 717 at a meeting early next week, it said. ©2001 Reuters Limited.

12-07-2001, 01:48 PM	#4
DeltaFlot The Patriot Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Laurel, MD Age: 36 Posts: 3,228	I think Boeing needs to be patient and give the plane some time to actually let word of how good it really is get around to all the other airlines, then things should pick up. __________________ Febuary 15, 1898 December 7, 1941 June 8, 1967 September 11, 2001 Never Forget, Never Forgive If you kick the Tiger in the arse, you better be able to deal with the Tiger's teeth.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

12-07-2001, 10:59 AM	#2
Sean1999 Ram Air TA Senior Collector Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 249	A big mistake for Boeing if they decided to dump the 717. I must say it's a very nice plane I flew on a Air Tran 717 a few weeks back Sean

12-07-2001, 01:14 PM	#3
Tony Sepanski Master Collector Join Date: May 2000 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 798	Everything I've read about the 717 is it is a great airplane and meets or exceeds all promises. The problem is no one will buy the damn thing in any kind of quantity. If no one will buy it, why would you keep it around draining your cash reserves? And don't say it's because Boeing treats it like a red-headed stepchild. I know for a fact they have given this a harder marketing push than any other airliner they've ever produced.