NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Dec. 17, 2003--Boeing Co. (A/Stable/A-1) announced that its Board of Directors authorized to begin marketing the company's 7E7 aircraft to airlines. Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said its ratings on Boeing (which were lowered on May 15, 2003, to the current levels) and outlook are not affected by this announcement. Although the decision to proceed with the 7E7 was expected, the Board's action is nevertheless an important step toward a formal launch of the program, expected in 2004, with initial deliveries in 2008. The 7E7 would be Boeing's first new jetliner in over a decade, replacing the slow-selling current models in the middle of its product line. This airplane is the company's best prospect to
