Boeing Sees Possible End to McDonnell Jets

A senior Boeing executive gave voice to the conventional wisdom that commercial jets made by McDonnell Douglas will probably be discontinued if the $15-billion merger of the two aerospace companies is completed. Ron Woodard, president of Boeing’s Commercial Airplane group, said his company sold more than 700 jets in 1996 compared with a paltry 38 for McDonnell Douglas, whose Douglas Aircraft division is based in Long Beach. Both companies have said the marketplace will decide which airplane models the combined company will offer, although Seattle-based Boeing is committed to delivering the MD-11s, MD-90s and MD-95s on order and servicing the McDonnell Douglas planes in operation. “It certainly is extremely clear to me that Douglas aircraft are in a declining position in the world marketplace,” Woodard told reporters at the Paris Air Show on Sunday. The merger is expected to be completed this summer. Boeing shares rose 50 cents to close at $57.875 on the New York Stock Exchange.