Virus Outbreak in China Poses a New Problem for Boeing

A worker looks up underneath a Boeing 737 MAX jet in Renton, Washington, on Dec. 16, 2019. Elaine Thompson/AP

Boeing sold no new airline jets in January, and now the company is worried that the virus outbreak in China could hurt airplane deliveries in the first quarter.

Chief Financial Officer Greg Smith said on Feb. 12 that the company is “spending a lot of time” with Chinese airline customers, trying to help them navigate a downturn in travel.