First 747-8 freighter delivery by mid-year
Last week CIT Aerospace placed its largest-ever order with Boeing for 38 Next-Generation 737 aircraft including 15 737-900ERs and 23 737-800s for delivery through 2017. The price was not disclosed.
Boeing said its delayed 747-8 freighter program will see its first delivery by "mid-year" as it reported deliveries of 460 aircraft and sales of 530 units in 2010. The company has an order book of 3,443.
Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes commented: "With 376 deliveries in 2010, the Next-Generation 737 set a company delivery record for the second consecutive year." Albaugh added that the 737 production rate will grow to 35 per month in early 2012 and 38 per month during the second quarter of 2013. The 777 production rate will rise from five to seven per month in mid-2011 and grow to 8.3 per month in the first quarter of 2013. First delivery of the 747-8 Intercontinental is planned for late 2011.
Development highlights last year included 2,400 hours of flight testing for six 787 Dreamliner airplanes with pilots from first customer ANA; the 747-8 freighter completed 1,500 flight test hours as the 747-8 Intercontinental reached final assembly; the delivery of the 900th B777; and a partnership with China on sustainable aviation biofuel.
The company said it expects to provide delivery guidance for 2011 when it releases year-end earnings on Jan. 26.
