Airline Sues Boeing Over Loss Of Contract

An Oregon airline is suing Boeing Co. after it was ditched as a contractor on the 787 supply chain.

Evergreen International Airlines Inc. won a contract in 2005 to fly and maintain Boeing's "Dreamlifter" super freighters, which are 747s converted to transport large sections of the new 787.

The company expected to have the contract for decades, although it was subject to review every five years. Last month, Boeing notified Evergreen it was switching the contract to New York-based Atlas Air.

Evergreen sued Boeing in Seattle on Thursday. The company said Boeing is only switching to Atlas because it owes Atlas nearly $1 billion over delays in delivering 747-8s the company ordered.

Evergreen says it will lose $175 million in profits, and Boeing should have to pay that.

Boeing did not have any immediate comment.