Boeing predicts $1 billion charge

Boeing Co. said yesterday that it will record a $1 billion charge because of a delay in producing a new version of the 747 freighter jet, blaming slow sales and late design changes.

It's the second time in four months that the company has announced delays in delivering a new aircraft model. In June, it announced a further postponement of the 787, a highly anticipated passenger plane that is more than two years behind schedule.

The troubles come as the airplane maker grapples with dwindling orders amid the global economic downturn.