United Airlines halts order for jets to await tax action

March 30, 1982

United Airlines told the Boeing Company to stop production of 20 Boeing 767 aircraft until Congress decides whether to repeal or modify tax benefit leasing provisions, the Wall Street Journal reported. If Congress changes the law which permits companies to sell or lease unused tax breaks, United says, it will cancel its order, worth up to $1 billion -- a move that ''would be devastating, '' the Journal said.