How about "military" contracts and "favored" status for domestic and international business? I'd say without the government on its side, Boeing would have a much greater time providing profits to its stockholders.
interesting point you make!
in '95 BA was trading in the low 20's.
by '96 the stock was trading around high $20's to low $30's.
in what may be considered on of the most contrarian moves of all time, after the "center fuel tank" explosion of TWA flight 800 (which, ironically never grounded the fleet - including AF1), Boeing stock basically doubled to nearly $60 per share over the next two years!