Boeing renting out 747s to cargo carriers

Washington

BOEING has a temporary plan to save the iconic but slow-selling 747 jumbo jetliner: buying its own planes and leasing them to cargo haulers.

With the effective shutdown by Congress of the Export-Import Bank - which traditionally has helped overseas carriers purchase planes - Boeing lost a key sales tool. Making matters worse, leasing companies have been hesitant to finance a plane with a dwindling customer base.