The commercial aircraft business is a brutal one. The cost to develop and certify a new airframe is enormous, and any major technological advance carries risk that can be existential for the developing company. Boeing famously gambled the company on the 747 and was rewarded for success with a production program that has run for half a century. Today, costs are even higher, but in the critical midsize commercial airliner market, Boeing has recently announced that the firm will not be developing a new airplane to replace passenger versions of the 767 and 757 this decade. Some analysts feel that this will give Airbus a distinct advantage. Boeing feels that engine technology is not ready to support the development of a new airliner in this class and will continue to offer development versions of the 737 and 787 for the mid-size market. It’s a controversial decision. 

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