Boeing may form separate unit

Boeing Co is considering forming a separate company to build its proposed 7E7 Jet and may offer equity stakes to partners, said Alan Mulally, chief executive of the firm8217;s commercial aeroplane unit. Mulally reaffirmed Boeing8217;s estimate of demand for the fuel-efficient new plane at about 2,500 to 3,000 units, and said Japanese firms were likely to take a share of over 20 percent in the programme.

The 200-to 250-seat 7E7, which Boeing has dubbed the 7E7 Dreamliner, is scheduled to fly in 2008. By the first half of next year, Boeing hopes to 8216;8216;come to a really fundamental agreement with airlines8217;8217; over the aircraft8217;s specific requirements, Mulally said. 8216;8216;I wouldn8217;t rule it out a separate company with equity shares,8217;8217; he said.