One Boeing customer may have more influence than any other outsider on the crucial decision facing the company this year concerning the future of its star wide-body, the 777.
Tim Clark, president of giant Dubai airline Emirates, wielded his clout 10 years ago to define the long-range 777-300ER that is flying today. The resulting plane is the largest and best-selling aircraft in the 777 family.
Now the 777's biggest buyer is exerting his influence again on the strategic choice ahead for Boeing: To head off a looming competitive threat from the fuel-efficient, mostly composite A350-1000 that Airbus has in development, Boeing executives say they will either modify and improve the 777 or invest much more to go for an all-new plane."
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