United prods Boeing for ‘797’ decision as Max crisis lingers

United prodded Boeing for details on a proposed new jetliner for middle-distance routes, even as the planemaker races to get its workhorse 737 Max back into the skies. The world’s second-biggest airline is contemplating how to replace 130 of its older Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft, which are used on a variety of domestic and international routes but are less efficient than newer jets. As Boeing decides whether to build its “new midmarket airplane,” or NMA, Airbus SE is plowing ahead with a longer-range version of its A321neo. “We would like to see some clarity so that we can make the choice,” United CFO Gerry Laderman said on a conference call Wednesday to discuss earnings. “But we do have a little bit of time.” The longer-range A321 increases pressure on Boeing to provide more details on the NMA -- dubbed the 797 by analysts -- so that customers can assess which model is more suited to their needs. While Boeing continues to study the business case for the NMA with a goal of starting commercial service in 2025, the company’s main priority is returning the Max to service after two deadly crashes and a grounding that has already lasted four months. Boeing’s plans for the NMA are in question after the planemaker last week reassigned the executive spearheading the effort, Mark Jenks, to take charge of the 737 program. Mike Sinnett, a senior engineer who had been leading Boeing’s product strategy and future airplane development team, added the NMA to his portfolio as part of the executive shuffle. “This move seems a clear sign that the NMA program is on ice,” Bank of America Corp. analyst Ron Epstein said in a note to clients this week. “While this doesn’t imply the NMA program won’t happen, it now appears it won’t happen anytime soon.”<br/>