Written by We are so fortunate to have Boeing 737 production in our city. With the incredible success of the 737 airplane model, and Boeing’s record breaking backlog of this and other aircraft, our local economy will enjoy the glow of this industry for years to come. In spite of the tone of this year’s Chicago Tribune story, the aircraft business is not on its way out or casting any type of “shadow” over Renton’s economy.
Indeed, for those of us analyzing future trends, we see it is not too early for
Renton to be working aggressively to manage and market our city as the right place for Boeing to build the replacement model for the 737 in ten to fifteen years, or whenever the time comes. We need to be sure to reserve the airport space, and necessary infrastructure, to make our city more attractive than other locations. Our Renton Transportation Committee pushed earlier this year to have some train trestles rebuilt, and we are currently working on airport lease policy which keeps some space reserved for Boeing production. However, we could be doing much more to market our city. We will most likely be competing against Paine Field, Long Beach California, and many other locations in the nation.
There is simply no other business in the world that sells products of this value or reputation for quality.
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Here is a story from Today’s Puget Sound Business Journal:
Boeing announces $4.4B in new plane orders
Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle) – 9:39 AM PDT Monday, June 18, 2007
The Boeing Co. said that Lion Air of Jakarta has ordered 40 more 737-900 extended range planes worth $3 billion at list prices, and GE Commercial Aviation Services has ordered six 777 freighter planes worth $1.42 billion.
The orders were announced Monday at the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, France.
Lion Air, a low-cost airline in Asia, now has ordered 100 of the extended-range 737-900 airplanes, which are built in Renton.
GE Commercial Aviation Services of Stamford, Conn., has ordered 39 Boeing-built freighter planes, including 14 777s, which are built in Everett. The first Boeing (NYSE: BA) 777 will be delivered in the fourth quarter of next year.
Keep room for Boeing
When I graduate from high school, 30 some years ago, many of my class mates hoped for a job at Boeing. The wages were good. The benefits were good. Boeing offered educational, promotional and retirement plan oppurtunities. Those who got jobs at Boeing were able to raise families, buy homes and save for a good retirement. Not much has really changed in all those years. Boeing jobs not only pay a livable wage but come with health care.
I hope the council and RAAC remember all the community has gotten from Boeing in any decision they make regarding future plans for the airport. Short term leases with the City owning all the structures will keep the airport available and welcoming for Boeing’s future needs. It would be a real loss to future generations for Boeing to move its future production eleswhere. The good and future of the whole community needs to be put before personal agenda’s or gains for a few.
Jan Hickling
Talbot Hill