Boeing introduces its 747-8 line
Boeing has introduced its 747-8 line in Bangkok, positioning itself for the 400- to 500-seat market.
"Our programme 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 Programme. The 747-8 Intercontinental features 467 seats and is included in the Current Market Outlook (CMO) issued by Boeing last June. The CMO forecasts for the Asia-Pacific region 7,900 new aircraft worth US$930 billion (Bt32.84 trillion) over the next 20 years. Of those deliveries, Boeing predicts 570 will be 747-size and larger. During the forecast period, Asia-Pacific will remain the largest market outside North America for new commercial aircraft. Boeing launched the 747-8 programme - the Intercontinental passenger version and Freighter - in November 2005 with an order for 10 of the 747-8 Freighters from Cargolux Airlines and eight from Nippon Cargo Airlines. Since the programme's launch, Boeing has secured firm orders for 78 747-8 aircraft - 54 Freighters and 24 Intercontinental passenger planes. "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. It completed firm configuration of the 747-8 Freighter on schedule in October. Rollout and the first flight of the first 747-8 are planned for next year, 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-aircraft class and lower operating cost, he said. 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 plane the all-time quietest jumbo jet, he added.
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