Abu Dhabi: Boeing Co will replace its popular narrow body series, the 737, in the next decade, chief executive, Jim McNerney, said on Wednesday, firming up previous comments.
“Before 2030 … we’ll have a whole new narrow body airplane,” he said in Abu Dhabi when asked if the airplane manufacturer had plans to replace the 737.
In 2011, McNerney was quoted as saying that the company is “going to do a new plane” replacing its 737 series.
McNerney, speaking at “What’s Next? Navigating Global Challenges with the Innovation Generation” summit, said “there is a good chance it will be a composite airplane, there is a good chance it will be slightly bigger.” He added that “there will be new engines that will have more ceramics rather than metal”.
Ceramic components will be lighter than metal and be able to handle more heat.
While McNerney said the new aircraft is likely to be bigger than the 737, he also said “the shape won’t change dramatically” because “you can get a bit more room out of the side”.
Boeing is currently developing the 737 MAX, the fourth generation of the 737 series, to be delivered from 2017.
