Planemaker Calls Initial Talks 'Very Positives' For The Concept Airplane

Boeing is reportedly in discussions with multiple Gulf carriers and others in the middle east about the potential market for the Boeing 797 mid-range airplane, which is rumored to be Boeing's next airliner.

Gulf News reports that while Boeing has not yet committed to building the airliner, response from potential customers has been "very positive," according to the planemaker's senior managing director for marketing Darren Hulst.

Hulst told Gulf News that Boeing is "interested in this market space." The 797 could fly for up to 10 hours and have up to 300 seats. If Boeing decides to go forward with the 797, Hulst said he anticipates an entry into service in the mid 2020s.

Boeing has pitched the 797 to nearly 60 carriers worldwide, according to the report. Hulst said that with a potential entry into service within the next decade, the airplane would likely have "significant advances in fuel efficiency, advances in production technology, as well as the technology that drives the structure of the airplane."

Hulst spoke to Gulf News on the sidelines of the IATA general meeting in Sydney, Australia. Overall, he said that Boeing is "bullish" on the commercial aviation market.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original report