<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Boeing has built more than 1,000 757s since 1982, but unless new customers for the aging jet emerge soon, Boeing could close its 757 production line in Renton as early as next summer.
That is the consensus view of aviation-industry executives and analysts after Continental Airlines, which holds 11 of the 18 757 orders still on Boeing's books, said yesterday that it is renegotiating the "terms of delivery" of those planes with Boeing.
Continental is to receive five 757s in 2004, according to Back Aviation, a consulting firm. The planes are to be built by March 2004 and delivered by June 2004, people familiar with Boeing's production plans said. Those five planes are so far along in production that the struggling Houston-based carrier will have to take them or risk paying huge penalties, sources close to both companies say.

But delivery dates for Continental's final six planes are evenly split between 2005 and 2006, and Continental is the only airline scheduled to receive 757s in those years.

Consequently, there is a good chance Continental and Boeing will mutually agree to cancel those orders because Boeing would not be able to keep the 757 line running profitably at such a low production rate. If that happens, Boeing likely would deliver its final 757 in mid- to late-2004.
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