|
The news follows months of speculation that
Chicago-based United Continental Holdings Inc would make
the swap, which allows it to move aircraft on to different
routes to better fit customer demand. The carrier also said
Thursday that it plans to retire 130 of its more than 200
50-seat planes by the end of 2015 as part of its fleet
reorganization.
For Boeing, the deal signals steady demand for its widebody 777
aircraft before the company switches to production of the new
777X model later this decade. Boeing said Wednesday that its 777
production line is sold out for 2016 and half sold out in 2017,
with sales extending into 2018.
While Boeing said Wednesday that it has won 25 firm orders and
commitments for 777s so far this year - just short of half of
its target - it was not immediately clear whether United's swap
added to the count or already was part of it.
Analysts have expressed concern that Boeing might have to cut
prices to shore up any production gap.
(Reporting By Jeffrey Dastin in New York; Editing by Chizu
Nomiyama)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
