• 

  Boeing

  Stock Code:

  BA

  Date Founded:

  1916-07-15

  CEO:

  Dave Calhoun

  Headquarters Location:

  Chicago, USA

  Key Product Lines:

  Boeing 737, Boeing 747, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, Boeing 777, Boeing 787

  Business Type:

  Planemaker

Boeing has confirmed that it now expects to deliver its first 777X aircraft in 2025. The confirmation came as the US planemaker released its Q1 results for 2022 and confirmed reports that first surfaced late last week.The Boeing 777X program hasn't had the best of starts. When the planemaker launched the 777X program, it had intended to deliver its first aircraft of the type in 2020. The program now appears to have been delayed by half a decade, as Boeing now expects that we won't see the next-generation jet flying for an airline this year, next year, or the year after.

Production paused

On Friday, The Air Current reported that Boeing was expected to delay the Boeing 777X's certification target until the last quarter of 2024. Boeing has now confirmed a delay to the 777X program in its Q1 results. With the delay in certification, the US planemaker anticipates that it will deliver its first aircraft in 2025.

Boeing had already started building 777X airframes for customers, anticipating a reasonably quick certification process. When aircraft are made, they take up space. As we saw when the Boeing 737 MAX was grounded, space to store built but undelivered aircraft can be scarce. Additionally, as the aircraft is still undergoing certification, any changes required as a result of the certification process will have to be made to all the built planes as well as future models.

Addressing this, Boeing remarked,

"To minimize inventory and the number of airplanes requiring change incorporation, the 777-9 production rate ramp is being adjusted, including a temporary pause through 2023. This will result in approximately $1.5 billion of abnormal costs beginning in the second quarter of this year and continuing until 777-9 production resumes."

According to BOE Family Flights, 20 Boeing 777X airframes have so far been spotted at Boeing's Paine field facility, excluding the four test aircraft that are already flying. The portal reports that the aircraft already built are bound for,

• All Nippon Airways x3
• Emirates x9
• Lufthansa x5
• Qatar Airways x3

The impact on airlines

Some airlines have been starting to get noticeably impatient with the delays to the Boeing 777X program. In February, it was reported that Emirates' President, Sir Tim Clark, had suggested canceling the airline's 777X order over the mounting delays. However, it seems as though Clark remains content for the time being, with German aviation journalist Andreas Spaeth reporting that there wouldn't be a cancelation yet, but that the airline's patience isn't indefinite.

Previously, Lufthansa's CEO Carsten Spohr had remarked that the airline didn't mind the delay in the program as it allowed the German carrier to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic before expanding its fleet. It's unclear if this will remain the case as the airline's deliveries extend further into the future.

For Lufthansa, the deliveries aren't just about expanding the fleet but also refreshing it. The airline had planned to retire its Boeing 747-400s alongside 777X deliveries with a one-in-one-out policy. The further delay to the program will mean the airline is forced to decide whether to operate the type even longer.

UPDATE: 2022/04/28 10:42 CEST BY TOM BOON

Lufthansa comments on the 777X delay

A Lufthansa spokesperson told Simple Flying,

"We are aware, that Boeing has announced, that the first 777-9 delivery is to be expected in 2025. As one of the launch customers, we are in constant exchange with Boeing and are adapting to the new situation."

Sources: The Air Current, BOE Family Flights