Boeing has lost the services of one of its most famous customers for the Boeing Business Jet following a decision by Australian golf star Greg Norman to cancel his order.
The move has caused much embarrassment at Boeing as the golfer, known internationally as the Great White Shark, has been widely touted as a customer of the 737-based business jet in advertisements run by Boeing as part of his seven-year deal with Norman to promote the aircraft.
Norman's Great White Shark Enterprise company was due to receive the aircraft as one of the BBJ's launch customers. The reason for cancellation is not clear.
Confirming that Norman had withdrawn from the deal, Boeing says: "Only he knows the real answer to why he has withdrawn. Things have changed as a result of the Asian economic crisis. He had a lot of projects in Asia and a lot of golf courses under design there, but things have changed. He is doing a lot more domestic travel right now, so his mission requirements have altered."
"We won't have any trouble selling his aircraft", it says. The airframe, one of the first seven BBJs scheduled to be built, will ly to a completion centre in July.
Source: Flight International
