Boeing talks up the Intercontinental
Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Boeing’s 747 chief Jeff Peace is in Europe pitching the new 747-8 to airlines. The Associated Press reports http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/3755801.html that he’s confident Boeing will land its first orders for the passenger version soon.
Key Quote: Though there have been no orders for the passenger model yet, Peace said that dozens of airlines have been in talks with the American manufacturer. … ‘We still anticipate orders for the Intercontinental this year,’ he said …”
China Airlines of Taiwan is a potential buyer, reports Flight International http://www.flightglobal.com/Articles/2006/03/28/Navigation/177/205651/CAL+aims+to+pick+A380+or+747-8+by+year-end.html
Key Quote: “‘Right now we are studying both aircraft (the A380 and 747-8) to see which meets our future requirements,’ says CAL.”
Boeing also has pitched Jet Airways of India and Qantas in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, in Chile, Boeing sales chief Scott Carson talked to Reuters http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1143590946.html about airlines that will be in the market for jets this year. They might not specifically be after 747-8s, but some big names will be shopping, he said.
Key Quote: “‘We are currently responding to a request from Lufthansa. British Airways we would hope to see them in the market later this year. Alitalia is harder to say. KLM and Air France we would expect to see (soon),’ Carson said. … In the United States, Carson said he expects the so-called legacy carriers, such as American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, to start putting out requests for proposals later this year or next.”
