Despites the loss of the five month period, Boeing still managed to deliver all of the airplanes it planed to deliver in 2013.

"It was truly a miracle," Allen said.

But the airplane builder had to face questions about the new aircraft from Chinese airlines.

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"After the delay and the problems, Chinese airlines had second thoughts about the aircraft when they placed new orders," said Li Xiaojin, a professor at the China Aviation University in Tianjin.

The 787 Dreamliner has received just six new orders from Chinese airlines since 2004. It became a big task for Boeing to sell its new aircraft in China.

The good news for the company is that new 787 orders can be expected from the China market this year. Negotiations with some Chinese airlines are underway, said Ihssane Mounior, Boeing's senior vice-president of sales and marketing in Northeast Asia.

If the talks bear fruit, Allen's successor will start on a good footing because Boeing had already received more than 230 orders from Chinese clients in 2013.

Ian Thomas, former president of Boeing Australia and South Pacific, is the new president of Boeing China. Thomas also needs to deal with certain challenges in China.

"I think the challenge is going to be the pace of change," said Allen.

He said he believes his successor will see different things in China and make adjustments in reaction to whatever he sees.

Meanwhile, the entire Boeing leadership, including both Allen and Thomas, have to handle another unexpected and critical issue: the fate of the Malaysian Airlines MH370 Boeing 777-200ER aircraft that disappeared with 239 people onboard including 158 Chinese on March 8.

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