Boeing plans super jumbo to take on Airbus

quot;We are not committed to that, but it is the primary focus, in terms of the number of people, in our product development activity, because it8217;s a big job,quot; Roundhill said in an interview.

Boeing would likely begin by adding fuel capacity to the current 747-400, extending its flying range by about 500 miles from its current range of 8,400, Roundhill said.

Such a derivative, dubbed the 747-X, could be developed in three years time, if Boeing decided to proceed, Roundhill said.

A more ambitious stretch 747, seating as many as 530 passengers, would include a new wing design and newer, quieter engines and would take a big bite out of the market for the A3XX, Roundhill said.

quot;We believe that will be a very competitive product against the A3XX,quot; Roundhill said, though he reiterated that Boeing sees a weak market for super-jumbos in general.

In fact, Boeing has been saying that for over three years, since it abandoned proposed 747-500 and 747-600 models with capabilities very similar to the current 747-X options.

Boeing shelved those plans in 1996 amid analyst projections that it would cost up to 4 billion to build a plane with dubious customer appeal. A model of the 747-600 still sits on a table in Roundhill8217;s office.

Prior to that Boeing and Airbus had considered jointly building an 800-seat behemoth.

The interior of any new 747 would likely incorporate upgraded cabin and cockpit electronics features on Boeing8217;s popular 777 wide-body, it8217;s youngest all new model at five years old.

Roundhill insists that Boeing8217;s decision on the 747-X will follow customer feedback, not Airbus8217; apparent plans to launch its A3XX at estimated development costs of 15 billion.

quot;We8217;ll respond to what our customers are looking for 8230; a few larger airplanes in their fleets, and they8217;d Like to have the same pilots fly those airplanes that fly their 747s,quot; he said.

Asked if Boeing expected Airbus to proceed with the A3XX, Roundhill replied: quot;I don8217;t think we can assume anything else.quot;

The European consortium has said it will name at least five A3XX launch customers and begin building the airborne giant by the end of 2000.

Boeing last month announced Japan Airlines Co. Ltd. as the first launch customer for its new long-range 777 models and is nearing completion of its 737-900, a simple stretch of its popular narrow body.

Next up could be a longer-range version of the 757- 200,allowing greater use of the narrow body jet on trans-Atlantic routes or between North America and South America.

Other potential projects include shrinking the 777, adding range to the 767-300 and -400 wide-body models and the 737-700 and either shrinking or stretching Boeing8217;s smallest jet, the 106-seat 717.

Shrinking the 717 would pit the short-haul plane against formidable competition from regional jet makers, while stretching it would mean competing with the 737 and Airbus8217;s popular A320 family.

Roundhill said any new 717s would have to wait for broader acceptance of the jetliner, which has received just 143 orders from a handful of customers. Boeing delivered its first 717 last summer.