U.S. regulators proposed that airlines replace or modify
insulation on 1,600 BOEING CO. planes worldwide because the
material does not meet fire-proofing standards. Half the planes
covered by the Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness
directive are flown by domestic passenger and cargo airlines.
International aviation authorities usually adopt FAA
directives. The plan would require changes over six years on
727 and older model 737, 747, 757 and 767 aircraft. The
government's cost estimate ranges from $200 million to $330
million, depending on whether the material is removed and
replaced or simply treated with a chemical fire retardant spray
proposed by Boeing. It is unclear how many of the affected
planes, especially those owned by U.S. airlines, will even be
flying several years from now.
(Reuters 01:51 PM ET 04/01/2005)

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