Bangkok--22 Jan--Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA
] today hosted a media briefing on the 747-8 family in Bangkok, providing details about the airplane’s position in the 400- to 500-seat market.
“Our program strategy is to serve the 200-seat gap between the 777-300ER and the A380,” said Randy Tinseth, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president — Sales, Marketing and In-Service Support, 747 Program. “The 747-8 Intercontinental, at 467 seats, fits that slot perfectly.”
The 747-8 is included in the Current Market Outlook (CMO) issued by Boeing Commercial Airplanes last June. The CMO includes a forecast for the Asia-Pacific region of about 7,900 new airplanes worth $930 billion over the next 20 years. Of those deliveries, Boeing predicts 570 units will be for airplanes 747-size and larger. During the forecast period, Asia-Pacific will remain the largest market outside North America for new commercial airplanes.
Boeing launched the 747-8 Program — the Intercontinental passenger version and Freighter — in November 2005 with an order for 10 747-8 Freighters from Cargolux Airlines and eight 747-8 Freighters from Nippon Cargo Airlines. Since the program’s launch, Boeing has secured firm orders for 78 747-8 airplanes - 54 747-8 Freighters and 24 747-8 Intercontinentals.
“Lufthansa was the first airline to place an order for the 747-8 Intercontinental,” said Tinseth. “Boeing continues to hold productive discussions with passenger customers about the 467-seat Intercontinental.”
The program is on target to meet its development milestones. Boeing completed firm configuration of the 747-8 Freighter on schedule in October 2006. Rollout and first flight of the first 747-8, a freighter for Cargolux, are planned for 2008, with certification and entry into service in 2009.
“We are on schedule to complete firm configuration on the 747-8 Intercontinental in 2007,” said Tinseth. “It is scheduled to enter into service in 2010.”
The 747-8 Intercontinental and Freighter offer airlines the benefits of increased profitability, including the best economics in the large-airplane class and lower operating cost. The 747-8 incorporates breakthrough technologies and materials from the 787 Dreamliner, including the new 787 engine; as well as new 747-8 wing and aerodynamic designs, all of which contribute to lower fuel burn and make the airplane the all-time quietest jumbo jet. The new 747 will also provide greater fuel efficiency and improved operating economics while reducing noise and emissions in the communities where it operates. It will be able to serve all of the more than 200 airports that can accommodate the 747-400.
THAI currently operates 46 Boeing airplanes, which includes 18 747-400s and two 747-300s.
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