Boeing boss's resignation 'a blow to the company'

Boeing’s UK boss today described the resignation of the planemaking company’s scandal-hit chief executive as a “personal tragedy”.

Harry Stonecipher resigned earlier this month after an affair with a female colleague.

Today in London Boeing UK president Sir Michael Jenkins said Mr Stonecipher’s departure was “very sad” and a “blow to the company”.

Addressing an airline public relations and airline media lunch, Sir Michael said: “I knew Harry pretty well and I saw a lot of him. I think this is a personal tragedy. What he achieved in 14 months with Boeing was pretty remarkable.

“The company’s share price more than doubled and Harry made an enormous impact on the company. I think his departure is very sad. It’s personally sad for him and I think it’s a blow to the company.”

Sir Michael said he hoped the board would not spend too long finding a successor as it was not good to have a vacuum at the top.

Sir Michael told his audience that Boeing hoped to expand its popular 747 jumbo jet by around 30 seats if the programme – known as the 747 Advanced - proved possible.

He said that the Boeing 787 which will go into passenger service in 2008 was not seen as a rival to the 555-passenger Airbus A380 super jumbo.

Sir Michael said there was room in the market for both aircraft.

He stressed Boeing’s continual commitment to the UK and quoted an expert opinion that any airline ordering the Boeing 787 with Rolls-Royce engines would be getting a plane with 35% British content.