More than a decade ago, executives at Boeing made a pivotal decision: To keep up with the company’s main rival, Airbus, they gave up on the idea of developing a new airplane and raced to update the 737, the company’s most popular jet.
The jet’s troubles have left Boeing behind Airbus in the global market for single-aisle planes, which it once dominated.
Now, Boeing, which is expected to appoint a new chief executive by the end of the year, has to make another critical choice: When should it develop its next brand-new plane?
If the company missteps, it could spend billions of dollars and still lose market share to Airbus, which is based in Toulouse, France.
Both manufacturers also face a distant but rising threat from China and growing pressure to cut planet-warming emissions.
Organizations:
Boeing, Airbus
Locations:
Toulouse, France, China