31.   The company has come under fire from some analysts, shareholders and airline customers for its poor performance.

32.   The company, meanwhile, was under pressure from its airline customers and reportedly made its offer conditional on a favorable recommendation from union negotiators.

33.   The company said the production rate increase is in response to stronger orders from its airline customers.

34.   The changes could mean that Boeing will not be able to deliver two of its commercial jets to airline customers as planned this year.

35.   The two companies declined to comment, saying they customarily defer order announcements to airline customers.

36.   Wall Street also seems to feel that Boeing has weathered the strike without a major long-term financial impact and has avoided alienating its major airline customers.

37.   While the joint study found that such an aircraft is technically feasible, the project was put on hold because of a lack of interested airline customers.

38.   As the strike dragged on, Boeing came under increasing pressure from a sagging stock price and from airline customers impatient to receive their new jets.

39.   But Boeing still is heavily dependent on airline customers, which are hurting from high fuel prices and labor costs and reduced spending by business travelers.

40.   He argues it would make Boeing too powerful in influencing airline customers and have undue influence with the Pentagon.