A senior executive at Boeing (BA.NYSE) said that the Chicago-based airplane maker is engaged in “very advanced discussions” with Chinese airlines to revive sales of its flagship 787 Dreamliner passenger jet, the Wall Street Journal reported. Boeing has been vying with Airbus (owned by European Aeronautic Defence & Space; EADS.Euronext) for domination of the Chinese commercial aircraft market, but sales of its new 787 “Dreamliner” have stalled since 2005, when it won 60 orders. The plane’s rollout has been beset by delays, and Airbus has improved its competitive position in China. Airbus China President Laurence Barron said that his company expects to account for 50% of China’s commercial jet market by 2013, but Boeing has said that it hopes to retain its current market share, presently at just over 50%. Earlier this month Boeing raised its 20-year forecast for Chinese commercial aircraft spending by 25%, citing planned international expansion by Chinese airlines. Boeing expects China to spend US$600 billion for 5,000 new aircraft during that period.
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