Mike Martin
One non-Boeing aerospace executive who was visiting the Seattle company's headquarters described the atmosphere as one of shell-shock.
Meetings were cancelled as the Boeing community digested the news that Boeing Commercial chief Ron Woodard had been sacked.
What should have been a celebratory week for Boeing - with a raft of upbeat issues and two first flights - turned sour when Woodard carried the can for thecompany's woes.
Last year Boeing made a net loss of $178 million and it experienced escalating production problems as its attempt to raise monthly output from 22.5 aircraft to 40 went badly wrong.
The final straw appeared to be the loss of British Airways - once its most loyal client - as a customer for its short-haul aircraft.
Atmosphere
Woodard was replaced by Alan Mulally, former president of the Information, Space and Defense Systems (ISDS) unit.
The visiting executive said at Farnborough: "The atmosphere was incredible at Boeing. People were so shocked that everything stopped."
Boeing had every right to be at Farnborough in upbeat mood. Last week saw the first flight of both the Boeing 717 and the Boeing Business Jet.
Nobody doubts that the Seattle company will come out fighting at Farnborough. Prepare to meet a wounded lion.
Source: Flight Daily News