Where did Boeing 717 come from?

Boeing 717 is a twin-engine & narrow-body jet airliner from Boeing & designed by McDonnell Douglas. Before we go into my photos of the Boeing 717 we need to take a look back where it began since now I mentioned McDonnell Douglas. This photo was my first Boeing 717 in Catania, Italy EI-FBK taken 12th April 2013.

Boeing 717 first flew in September 2nd 1998 as a replacement of the McDonnell Douglas DC-9 as we say a new generation of the DC-9 powered by Rolls-Royce BR715 turbofan located the back of the fuselage. Boeing 717 was introduced in October 2nd 1999 with AirTran Airways in the United States and few more airlines with Delta Air Lines, Volotea, Hawaiian Airines and Qantas. As it was designed from McDonnell Douglas in October 1995 two years before it merged with Boeing. The Boeing 717 was orignally named McDonnell Douglas MD-95 after the MD-90 however Boeing was still building the MD-90 till 2000 so half is Boeing & half is McDonnell Douglas. So what makes Boeing ceased their 717 with not many aircraft been built? Is it because of financial problems?

Volotea EI-FGH Boeing 717 seen in Malta taken 28th Jun

The answer is yes because Boeing lost $2.7 billion USD contract in Decembeer 2003 from Air Canada who built Embrear E-Jet series and Bombardier CRJ200  over Boeing 717. In January 2005 Boeing announced they will ceased production of their Boeing 717 & ceased out on April 2006 after finishing the final Boeing 717 aircraft to AirTran and Midwest Airlines in May 2006. The Boeing 717 was the final aircraft that was built in Long Beach Airport, USA from the McDonnell Douglas design company of this aircraft. There are 156 Boeing 717 aircraft ever been built some now are in service in the United States, Australia with Qantas and Europe with Volotea Europe's only Boeing 717 in service.