Doesn't Look Good for the 7E7

Re: Doesn\'t Look Good for the 7E7

That's not what CNN is reporting

http://money.cnn.com/2003/12/16/news/companies/boeing_7e7.reut/index.htm


Boeing's 7E7 nears takeoff

Seattle-based aerospace firm's news conference could mark the beginning of a new era in jetliners.
December 16, 2003: 10:00 AM EST

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Boeing Co. is expected to hold a news conference Tuesday that may signal the start of marketing its 7E7 jetliner, a major step toward a formal launch of its first new aircraft in a decade.

Boeing (BA: up $0.15 to $39.35, Research, Estimates) will build the new mid-sized jet in the Seattle suburb of Everett after considering several other sites, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer said in its Tuesday edition.

It may also announce a launch order for the 7E7 at the Seattle news conference, possibly from All Nippon Airways Co Ltd, the newspaper said, citing unnamed sources.

"The whole of Boeing is expecting this to go forward," said one senior Boeing official, who declined to be identified.

Another Boeing executive said at mid-afternoon Monday invitations were e-mailed within the company for an employee event to be held in downtown Seattle on Tuesday afternoon to announce a new era in aviation.

In Tokyo, Keisuke Okada, ANA senior vice president of corporate planning, said ANA was interested in the jet and considering it as a candidate to replace mid-sized aircraft, but no decision had been made on becoming a launch customer.

By giving its Seattle-based jetliner unit permission to book orders for the 7E7, Boeing's board of directors -- which met in Chicago on Sunday and Monday, led by new Chief Executive Harry Stonecipher -- would raise the odds that the 200- to 250-seat jet would be officially launched, with passenger service beginning in 2008.

The 7E7, designed to help cash-strapped airlines save money on fuel and operating costs, could reinvigorate Boeing's sagging jetliner business, but is expected to cost about $10 billion to develop, making it a significant gamble for the Chicago-based manufacturer.

If the aircraft delivers the efficiency and comfort improvements Boeing has promised, it could help Boeing claw back sales from bitter rival Airbus SAS for years to come, experts say.

"A Smart Gamble"
"This is a capital-intensive business and this aircraft is a gamble, but it's a smart gamble," said John Murray, an analyst who covers Boeing for Delaware Investments, which owns Boeing shares. "If they didn't do it, Airbus would be standing alone in this business in 40 years."

Without the 7E7, analysts say, Boeing would be relegated to also-ran status in the two-horse race with Airbus, which has become the world's most prolific jetliner maker and built up a backlog of 1,467 jet orders compared to Boeing's 1,112.

The 7E7 would replace the slow-selling 757, which Boeing is discontinuing, and the 767 line, which has slowed to just one aircraft per month to sustain production until a controversial order for 100 U.S. Air Force fuel tankers is finalized.

Boeing already builds its wide-body 767 and 777 models along with its 747 jumbo jet at its massive Everett plant.

The company had considered about 20 other sites for a 7E7 assembly plant, eliciting a wide range of tax breaks and infrastructure offers, including a $3.2 billion aerospace industry package from Washington state.

Shrewd deals with manufacturing partners, notably in Japan, could bring in billions in investment cash to lighten Boeing's load and spur 7E7 orders, yielding revenues to help pay for development and ultimately turn a profit.

As a result, the company will avoid a massive all-or-nothing bet like those it made when it built the 707, which launched the airline jet age in 1958, or the 400-seat 747 jumbo jet, which slashed intercontinental air fares in the 1970s.

The new jet will provide only a modest boost to Boeing's battered commercial jet work force, which has shrunk to 55,328 from 93,000 since the Sept. 11 attacks hammered the airline industry and slashed jet orders.

Key suppliers include three Japanese manufacturers -- Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, plus Dallas-based Vought Aircraft Industries and Italy's Alenia Aeronautica.
 
Re: Doesn\'t Look Good for the 7E7

Boeing should have gambled on the Sonic Cruiser. But, I’m sure they’ll go ahead with the 7E7. In today’s market they have to keep ahead of Airbus, not just equal with them.
 
Re: Doesn\'t Look Good for the 7E7

Bloomberg TV is reporting that the 7E7 is indeed a go and that it will be built in Seattle. The formal announcement is expected today at 6PM EST.

I am very excited about the 7E7. Now if Star would announce a <font color="red"> 717 </font> order
grin.gif
 
Boeing 7E7 Dreamliner Approved for Offer to Airlines

http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2003/q4/nr_031216g.html

Boeing 7E7 Dreamliner Approved for Offer to Airlines
Significant customer interest expressed in innovative new airplane
Everett, Wash., selected as final assembly site
SEATTLE, Dec. 16, 2003 -- The Boeing [NYSE: BA] Board of Directors has given the company's Commercial Airplanes unit the go-ahead to begin offering for sale the new 7E7 Dreamliner passenger airplane.

Boeing can now make sales proposals to airlines around the world. The company expects those sales proposals to result in firm customer commitments and a production go-ahead, or formal launch, in 2004.

"The board's decision validates the 7E7's compelling business case and the tremendous customer interest in this airplane," Boeing President and Chief Executive Officer Harry Stonecipher told more than 3,000 7E7 team members gathered today at Seattle's Washington State Convention and Trade Center. "The 7E7 is a game changer and we're anxious to begin offering it to our airline customers."

Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally, and 7E7 Senior Vice President Mike Bair presented the 7E7 business case to the board of directors at a meeting in Chicago yesterday.

"Savor this moment," Mulally told the 7E7 team. "This is a great way to start the second century of powered flight. It demonstrates our commitment to our customers, our employees and our industry, and it will ensure that Boeing continues its leadership in commercial aviation."

Tomorrow is the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers flight that made modern aviation possible.

Boeing today also announced that Everett, Wash., has been selected as the final assembly location for the 7E7, following a six-month evaluation of proposals from sites across the United States.

Boeing and McCallum Sweeney Consulting, Inc. evaluated the proposals against criteria designed to find the final-assembly location that would best support the 7E7 business plan.

"We are excited to continue our partnership with the state of Washington and the city of Everett on the 7E7," said Bair. "Many states submitted extremely competitive proposals and many factors weighed into the decision. But it's clear that the best overall solution for Boeing and the 7E7 is to place final assembly in Everett."

Boeing announced last month that the 7E7 program management and design integration teams will also be based in Everett. The company expects to announce airplane systems and engine partners for the 7E7 in 2004.

Boeing has been working with more than 50 airlines around the world to define the requirements for the 7E7. The 7E7 family of airplanes will carry 200 to 250 passengers on flights up to 8,300 nautical miles. Three models of the airplane are in development, including a short-range version for flights of 3,500 nautical miles with 300 passengers in two-class seating. The 7E7 will be more efficient, quieter and have lower emissions than other airplanes while offering passengers greater comfort and the convenience of direct, non-stop flights between more cities around the world.

"The 7E7 is all about taking passengers where they want to go, when they want to go there more comfortably and affordably than ever before," said Mulally. "At the same time, it will provide airlines with unprecedented operating economics and efficiencies. This airplane will allow us to continue to set the standard for commercial aviation in the second century of flight."

Boeing forecasts a need for between 2,000 and 3,000 airplanes in the 7E7's market segment over the next 20 years.

###
 
Re: Boeing 7E7 Dreamliner Approved for Offer to Airlines

Any one know what airlines are interested in it?
 
Re: Doesn\'t Look Good for the 7E7

ANA and JAL to replace the 767's which will be about 15 years old when the 7E7 is expected to be delivered. Malaysia Air and Emirates have been making noise about the 7E7 as well. The 7E7 will fit in perfect with ANA's plan to go to an all "2" engine fleet, and JAL would love to replace the Airbusses they inherited when they took over JAS.

What was spooking aviation insiders was that the Boeing product would probably not have a US launch customer.
 
Re: Doesn\'t Look Good for the 7E7

You didn't read the article close enough. One of them say's they aren't showing any interest untill 2008-2010, and won't be launch customers.
 
Re: Doesn\'t Look Good for the 7E7

[ QUOTE ]
One of them say's they aren't showing any interest untill 2008-2010, and won't be launch customers

[/ QUOTE ]

I seriously doubt if a passenger carrying 7E7 will see the light of day BEFORE 2008. Unless Boeing and the FAA does some serious streamlining and some heavy quick building. I think it was like 7 years before the 777 saw service (1990-1997) but I could be wrong.
 
Re: Doesn\'t Look Good for the 7E7

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
One of them say's they aren't showing any interest untill 2008-2010, and won't be launch customers

[/ QUOTE ]

I seriously doubt if a passenger carrying 7E7 will see the light of day BEFORE 2008. Unless Boeing and the FAA does some serious streamlining and some heavy quick building. I think it was like 7 years before the 777 saw service (1990-1997) but I could be wrong.

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from the boeing website....

Launch (first customers) - first half of 2004
Assembly Begins - 2005
First Flight - 2007
Entry into Service (delivery to first customer) - 2008
 
Re: Doesn\'t Look Good for the 7E7

I think the main question is what is Boeing going to look for in their launch customers? If they are just looking for orders, then that's pretty easy. If they are looking for $$$ to go with those orders (ala downpayments). I could see American or Northwest placing orders to replace some of their 757s, but if $$$ is involved, Boeing's best bet lies overseas. In order to get those orders placed, they'll have to go head-to-head with Airbus.
 
Re: Doesn\'t Look Good for the 7E7

[ QUOTE ]
I think the main question is what is Boeing going to look for in their launch customers? If they are just looking for orders, then that's pretty easy. If they are looking for $$$ to go with those orders (ala downpayments). I could see American or Northwest placing orders to replace some of their 757s, but if $$$ is involved, Boeing's best bet lies overseas. In order to get those orders placed, they'll have to go head-to-head with Airbus.

[/ QUOTE ]


I think NWA is about through with boeing. They are starting their A330 service to Europe and will eventually use it over the bigger pond.
 
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