Boeing Delay May Ground New Jetliner

Boeing Co.’s plans to delay development of its new generation 7J7 jetliner for at least a year has analysts worried that the plane will never fly, but company officials say the aircraft will get off the ground eventually.

Boeing President Frank A. Shrontz decided Friday that Boeing will wait an additional year to decide whether to build the 7J7, which has yet to pique the interest of airline companies.

“Nobody is beating our door down to come sign up,” said Dean D. Thornton, president of Boeing Commercial Airplane Co.

Thornton said the decision would push back deliveries of the plane to at least 1993, instead of 1992.

“The marketplace is confusing us about the appropriate airplane and engine size,” Thornton said, adding that various airlines “have different views.”

The twin-engine 7J7, being developed by Boeing in conjunction with three Japanese companies, would use advanced electronics and new materials and construction techniques. It would have “unducted fan” engines--jets with large fans outside.

Under current plans, the 7J7 would seat six or seven passengers abreast with two aisles, and would be used on routes of up to 2,700 miles. The plane would sell for about $40 million in 1986 dollars.

Les Childress, an analyst at Harper McLean & Co. in Seattle, said it’s possible that the 7J7 might never be built. And David J. Smith, an aerospace analyst with Alex Brown & Sons in Baltimore said in essence, “nobody wants it.”

But Thornton predicted that the 7J7 will fly. “I believe in it and I believe in the technology,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said the delay will give Boeing time to resolve financial, tax and legal problems with the Japanese companies that will help develop the airplane for a 25% equity interest.

Thornton said Boeing has “a full plate in terms of our resources” for developing and producing the new 747-400 jumbo jet, the 737-400 and 737-500 jetliners and variants of the 767.