Malaysian Airline Could Be 7E7 Launch Partner

Boeing's launch partner for its 7E7 Dreamliner could be Malaysian Airlines, according to Boeing's top international salesman, Paul Dubeck.

"We have been talking to them on an array of subjects, including the 7E7, and they have excellent opportunity to be our launch customer," he said last week during a news conference in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. "It is really suited for them and indications are that they would be part of the launch group."

While Dubeck says he expects the Dreamliner's launch customer to come from South Asia, he also indicated last week that Japan's All Nippon Airways could actually become the first to order 7E7s. The Dreamliner is scheduled to hit the market in 2008.

As in other markets, the 7E7 faces stiff competition from Airbus and its giant A380. While Boeing hopes to reduce fuel expenditures per passenger by up to 30-percent through greater efficiency, Airbus is applying economies of scale with its 550 passenger A380. It's become a major philosophical difference between the two airlines.

But Dubeck says, in the case of MAS, one philosophy might complement the other. "The A380s are so big that the 7E7 would act as a feeder; otherwise an airline cannot make money," he said.

Dubeck also gave an indication that Boeing, like other airline manufacturers, might be coming out of its post-9/11 slump.

"The aviation industry is beginning to move after the slowdown and that is exciting for us. We are getting a lot of inquiries. We have a suite of services from cargo freighters, passenger aircraft, and interior modifications that we can offer airlines," he said.

FMI: www.boeing.com, www.malaysiaairlines.com