Boeing's Big Gamble

The article "Boeing's Flight for Survival" (TR September 2003) highlights the contrasting marketing strategies employed by Boeing and Airbus for addressing the centralized-hub-airport issue. Centralized-hub routing originated in the early days of commercial aviation, when long-distance flights were punctuated by refueling stops. The advent of long-range transport planes eliminated the need for intermediate refueling, but airlines continued to favor routing via airports where they already had large maintenance facilities. This led the major airlines to develop such facilities into centralized hubs. The disadvantage of such hubs is that they compel airline customers to accept indirect routing. The Boeing 7E7 appears to offer a viable means of bypassing the centralized-hub system, and deserves the support of airport operators and passengers.

Marvin A. Moss
North Hills, CA