Talks continue with Japanese partner companies on Boeing Co's planned Sonic Cruiser, but no decision on deals has been made, the US aircraft maker said yesterday.
Boeing is sticking to its initial plan for the Sonic Cruiser to begin service in 2008, despite the recent plunge in air travel following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the US, Boeing Vice President John Roundhill told reporters in Tokyo.
Air traffic is expected to recover to the level before the attacks in one or two years, and growth will follow, said Roundhill, part of a Boeing delegation in Japan for talks with parts suppliers. "That's our baseline projection," he said.
Roundhill acknowledged orders will come only after revenue at airline companies pick up, which in turn is dependent on recovery in jet travel.
The Sonic Cruiser, which will seat 200 to 250 passengers, will shorten travel time by flying faster and at higher altitudes than current airliners.
Boeing believes consumers want shorter flying time. With the Sonic Cruiser, travel between New York and Los Angeles will be shortened by an hour, and Tokyo and New York by two hours.
Boeing's partnership with the Japanese goes back nearly five decades, and the company has worked with about 85 Japanese companies, such as Mitsubishi and Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
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