American manufacturer and aerospace company Boeing has confirmed the latest delays in its 777X programme that would cause the first deliveries to go ahead in early 2025.
The delay validates estimates made by one of two flag carriers from the UAE – Emirates. The chairman of Emirates, Tim Clark, stated earlier on 7 April that he believed that the carrier will receive the 777X before 2025.
Details behind the delay
The 777X is the larger version of Boeing’s 777. According to Boeing’s website, it will be the “world’s largest and most efficient twin-engine jet.”
The new aircraft has also been crafted with sustainability in mind, as Boeing states that the 777X will deliver 10% lower fuel use, emissions, and operating costs than its competition – assumedly the Airbus.
The 777X has been in development since 2013 and was initially expected to be delivered to airlines for operation in June 2020.
First reported by the online publication Air Current, Boeing currently expects to delay the certification target until late 2024, or by another 9 to 12 months for the twin-engine wide-body jet. Deliveries to airlines such as Emirates will then start in 2025.
In a statement on Friday, Boeing said that it remains “focused on working transparently with regulators and our customers”.
Boeing has faced numerous stumbling blocks in its mission to have the 777X ready for distribution. In May 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told Boeing that it would not certify the 777X until mid-to-late 2023. The FAA also rejected a request from Boeing to clear a certification hurdle, citing numerous concerns surrounding a lack of data and a preliminary safety assessment for the FAA to review and judge.
In February of this year, Emirates Chairman Tim Clark told the media that the airline is prepared to cancel its large 115 order of the Boeing 777X if delays go “beyond 2023”.
It seems the deliveries of the long-awaited and highly anticipated 777X are still a while away.
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