RENTON, Wash. — Boeing is once again facing questions about its future after a Wall Street Journal report suggested the company is laying the groundwork for a new jet to replace the 737 Max. The speculation comes at a delicate time for the plane maker, which is still working to stabilize production after years of safety crises and management turnover.

The Journal pointed to a visit earlier this year by Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg to Rolls-Royce, framing it as evidence that Boeing may be considering Rolls-Royce engines for a next-generation narrow-body aircraft. That would mean a potential break from the company’s four-decade reliance on engines from CFM International.

Aviation analyst Scott Hamilton argues that speculation about a new airplane program is premature.

“At this point it mean

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