Wichita plant among candidates for Boeing work

? The Boeing plant in Wichita was the company’s only site specifically identified Monday as a candidate for airframe work on the new 7E7 aircrafts, but officials at the plant cautioned that final 7E7 production decisions won’t come until later this year.

Several other foreign and domestic companies also were named candidates in the announcement at the Paris Air Show. Other Boeing plants also could compete with Wichita for the work.

“This is a step forward in a disciplined selection process,” Boeing Wichita general manager Jeff Turner said in a memo.

Wichita is competing to supply the nose sections, forward fuselage sections, and engine nacelles and struts. The work could bring as many as 4,000 jobs to Wichita, Boeing officials have said, although the total would include workers reassigned to the 7E7 project.

“It is encouraging to know we’re ‘on the team’ for this next level of participation,” Turner said.