Boeing’s CEO, Kelly Ortberg, has indicated that the company has initiated preliminary work on a potential new aircraft design, though it’s still not ready to proceed. Ortberg, who became president and CEO in August 2024, mentioned the need for Boeing to allocate “time and money” to assess its options and develop new designs when conditions are favorable.
“Right now, we lack a comprehensive framework,” Ortberg stated prior to the Farnborough International Air Show in London. “We are in the process of evaluating trade studies. We establish a baseline, assess various elements against it, and then we modify accordingly.”
He further emphasized that before introducing new aircraft, Boeing must enhance its financial situation, develop needed technology, and address delays in current plane deliveries. “Certainly, establishing our financial stability is a part of our preparations,” he added. “This process will take a few more years.”
Currently, Boeing’s focus is on fulfilling delayed orders, particularly for the much-anticipated 777X widebody jet. Ortberg noted, “Our challenges do not lie in securing orders. The real challenge is delivering them.”
Interestingly, the company decided to keep the 777X in the U.S. instead of conducting a demonstration flight at the Farnborough Air Show, pending certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Reports suggest that the FAA might approve the 737 MAX 7 as early as late July, with the MAX 10 likely to follow soon after.
Ortberg also observed that airline customers have expressed a preference for Boeing to concentrate on enhancing production and reliability within its existing product range before launching new models. Boeing competes primarily with Airbus in the large commercial aircraft sector; future models could strengthen this competition against Airbus’s A320 family.
These comments emerged alongside freshly added orders for Boeing, notably a commitment from Chinese President Xi Jinping, as mentioned by President Trump, to purchase 200 Boeing jets during a recent meeting in Beijing.
