UPDATE: Aircraft firms to get behind major Internet sales venture

Airline Industry Information, March 28, 2000

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2000 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

(Adds details of conference call confirmation).

A major Internet alliance is set to be created which will involve Boeing Co, Commerce One Inc, Lockheed Martin Corp, BAE Systems Plc and Raytheon Co, according to published reports.

The alliance will create the largest single Internet business-to-business venture for brokering everything from aircraft to raw materials and data services, claims Dow Jones, noting that the venture would be operated through a separate corporation. A formal announcement on the alliance will be made later today (March 28) in a conference call with executives representing each of the five organisations.

Indications suggest that the newly-formed company could turn over up to USD500bn per year when it is fully operational. Boeing's own web sales venture for commercial aircraft parts already generates in excess of USD400m in turnover and this venture would be integrated into the new 'super sales centre.'

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