Boeing to revamp sales force to compete with Airbus - report

Airline Industry Information, Dec 3, 2004

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

US aircraft manufacturer Boeing is to shake up its sales force including replacing its head aircraft salesman Toby Bright, according to the Wall Street Journal, in an attempt to compete more effectively with its European rival Airbus.

Boeing has seen Airbus overtake it as the world's number one aircraft manufacturer over the past few years and is struggling to meet its target of selling 200 of its new Boeing 7E7 Dreamliner aircraft by the end of 2004. The sales team is allegedly frustrated at not being able to match Airbus' pricing.

Airbus has recently scored a number of significant sales victories over Boeing, especially in the lucrative low-cost airline market where its A320 aircraft is becoming increasingly popular. In October 2004 Air Berlin ordered 70 A320s with a value of up to USD4.5bn after Airbus beat off competition from Boeing, reports Reuters.

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