BOEING COMMERCIAL AIRPLANES unit has been given the go-ahead by its main board to begin offering for sale the new 7E7 Dreamliner 21st century aircraft. Boeing can now make sales proposals to airlines around the world. The company expects those negotiations to result in firm customer commitments and a production go-ahead, or formal launch, in 2004. The Everett 747/777 plant has been selected as the final assembly location for the 7E7, following a six-month evaluation of proposals from sites across the United States. The 7E7 family of aeroplanes will carry 200 to 250 passengers on flights up to 8,300 nautical miles. Three models are in development, including a short-range version for flights of 3,500 nautical miles with 300 passengers in two-class seating. The 7E7 will be more efficient, quieter and have lower emissions than other contemporary aircraft while offering passengers greater comfort and the convenience of direct, non-stop flights between more cities around the world. Boeing forecasts a need for between 2,000 and 3,000 aeroplanes in the 7E7's market segment over the next 20 years.
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