Guy Norris/SEATTLE
Boeing is in talks with China over a wide range of potential ventures, including possible involvement in the 717-200, as the company seeks to fill the void left by China's recent decision to scrap the MD-90 TrunkLiner effort. Boeing Commercial Airplane Group president Ron Woodard says: "We are looking at a whole range of possibilities to see what is the best for both of us."
In an exclusive interview with Flight International, after his recent return from China where he talked to Aviation Industries of China (AVIC) and the Civil Aviation Authority of China, Woodard confirms that "-the 717 is certainly a possibility".
For the moment, however, Woodard's chief concern is "modifying our contract with the TrunkLiner". Boeing inherited the MD- 90-30T TrunkLiner with last year's take over of McDonnell Douglas, and Woodard says: "We're still in place with the old deal, and we're working our way through that."
The original deal called for the manufacture of 40 aircraft by Shanghai Aviation Industrial, but this was reduced to 20 in 1994 under a renegotiated contract. The first Chinese-built aircraft was originally due to be delivered in April this year, but final assembly of the first TrunkLiner has yet to start - despite the production of enough parts for the manufacture of three aircraft.
"They have decided not to do a 20-aircraft TrunkLiner programme, and the question is what is their intent?" asks Woodard. "I think it is their intent to bring something out of that whole programme, and we're going to have to see what is feasible. We have done a lot together, and we are working continuously towards being intimately involved in their industry and their airlines." Woodard adds: "We are certainly taking a very long term view towards building the relationship between China and Boeing."
Boeing is adopting a similar strategy to that of Airbus Industrie in its dealings with China. The European consortium's plan to build the AE31X regional jet with AVIC has collapsed, but talks continue while the two sides attempt to find other work on which to foster their relationship.
Boeing also confirms talks with AVIC, as well as with Japanese manufacturers, over potential work on the 717 wing. "We've had discussions with China and Japan about 'filling in', and we have also had discussions over 'filling in' with our own capacity in Canada," says Woodard, who adds that "-we have made no decisions, and all this depends on how successful the programme is".
The first 11 wingsets for the 717 have been made by the former McDonnell Douglas Canada site which traditionally manufactured all the wings for the Douglas Aircraft products.
A further 11 Canadian-made 717 wing kits were also supplied to Hyundai of South Korea, which was awarded the contract for all subsequent wings.
"We'll have to see where that goes," adds Woodard.
Source: Flight International
