Airline Plans Upset By Boeing Strike

The Machinists strike against The Boeing Co. is starting to affect some of the world’s largest commercial airlines.

One of The Boeing Co.’s largest customers, United Airlines, said Thursday that it will have to cancel service on two international routes because of aircraft deliveries delayed by the strike that has shut down production lines.

British Airways officials expressed concern that a long-term strike could delay future deliveries of Boeing’s 777 - a jetliner that offers carriers a distinct competitive advantage on overseas flights.

United will discontinue service on routes to Madrid from Washington, D.C., and to Paris from Los Angeles, starting Jan. 16.

The Chicago-based carrier has scrapped plans for a new route to Sao Paulo, Brazil, from Miami, because of delays in deliveries of several new Boeing 777s, wrote Chris Bowers, a senior vice president of international operations for United, in a letter to employees.

The strike is in its 56th day and no talks are scheduled.