Boeing originally wanted to deliver the new long-haul jet from early 2020. It is now the end of 2024. The reason for the further delay in the 777X can also be found at Airbus.
Five months ago, Carsten Spohr was still satisfied. According to Lufthansa, the first Boeing 777X will join the fleet in 2023-Boss. That had been “confirmed again” by the aircraft manufacturer. He even liked the fact that the long-haul aircraft would be available later. It fits the “Covid-related reduction in our business volume”.
But in the meantime it looks like the delivery date at the end of 2023 will not work either. Boeing expects a further delay of nine to twelve months. The portal The Air Current writes with reference to three informed people. The first delivery will probably take place in the last quarter of 2024.
First focus on Boeing 737 Max 10
That would mean the 777X was almost five years late. Originally, Boeing had expected the first delivery in early 2020. According to The Air Current, the reason for the renewed delay is that Boeing does not want to waste its resources.
First of all, the aircraft manufacturer wants to get the 737 Max 10 through certification, of which more than 700 have already been ordered. The largest Max variant is his hope and central as a means of defending against the successful Airbus models A321 Neo, A321 LR and A321 XLR. Recently, however, she was also threatened with a delay. And if the 737 Max 10 doesn’t get approval by the end of the year, it must Boeing elaborate changes in the cockpit make.
Major customer Emirates has been upset for a long time
In addition, there are “challenges in the areas of design, approval and market” with the 777X. The 777-9 as a larger variant is a very large aircraft with up to 426 seats. And they are less in demand after the pandemic. 320 of the new long-distance model have been ordered to date.
The recent delay could annoy major customer Emirates. Already last fall, the Gulf airline was annoyed that Boeing did not give any concrete information on the exact launch date or whether the small variant 777-8 would be built at all. Perhaps more is not enough, according to Emirates President Tim Clark.