Boeing has extended 717 wing manufacturing at its Boeing Toronto site in Canada by another 50 shipsets, but insists the move does not imply the end of its links with Hyundai of South Korea, or its ongoing talks in China to find a second source for wing manufacture.
"Boeing Toronto has been supporting the 717 wing supplier, Hyundai, through a transition plan which called for parts and completed wings to be made in Canada. We have made a decision to continue this transition for up to an additional 50 shipsets," says Boeing. Boeing Canada is already supplying 11 wingsets and 11 wingkits under the earlier contract. The South Korean company is thought to have run into trouble with the contract following the collapse of the local currency.
The first of the kits, which are being shipped to South Korea for assembly into wings as a prelude to full manufacturing by Hyundai, have now arrived in Long Beach, California, where they are being integrated on the 717 production line. Boeing says the extension was a "-business decision based on the fact Boeing Toronto [formerly McDonnell Douglas Canada] would provide the wings at the price and cost required". The company says talks with the Chinese to find a second source for Asian wing manufacturing "are still on-going". It adds that "the Koreans still have a contract " to build 717 wings".
Source: Flight International
