Boeing is planning to delay the debut of its new 777X jet by several months or up to a year as the coronavirus crisis clips demand for the industry's biggest aircraft.
The Chicago-based plane maker aims to deliver the jet as passenger air travel recovers from the slump caused by the pandemic, Reuters reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. It also hopes for a thaw in the trade war between Washington and Beijing that has kept crucial Chinese aircraft buyers at bay.
The announcement of the delay may come as soon as next week when Boeing announces its earnings, Reuters said.
Boeing said it was continuing 777X flight tests and “working closely with our customers around the world as they continue to adapt to the evolving Covid-19 situation”. It declined to comment on the 777X timeline.
Emirates, the aircraft’s top customer, does not expect to receive any 777X planes before 2022, Bloomberg reported earlier this month, citing Adel Al Redha, the carrier’s chief operating officer.
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A Boeing 777X airliner lifts off for its first flight at Paine Field in Everett, Washington. AP -
A Boeing 777X lands at Boeing Field in Seattle, after its first flight. AP -
Boeing employees and other guests cheer the 777X after its landing. AP -
Boeing employees and guests take photos as they welcome a Boeing 777X airplane returning from its inaugural flight. AFP -
Test Pilot Van Chaney talks with reporters after flying a Boeing 777X in its first test flight at the company's facility in Seattle. Reuters -
Test Pilot Craig Bomben celebrates after flying a Boeing 777X on its first test flight at the company's facility in Seattle. Reuters -
Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stan Deal cheers at Boeing Field following the first flight of the Boeing 777X airliner in Seattle, Washington. AFP -
Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stan Deal walks through a crowd in a hangar at Boeing Field following the first flight of the Boeing 777X airliner in Seattle, Washington. AFP -
Boeing 777X chief test pilot Van Chaney, right, and co-pilot Craig Bomben, Boeing's VP Flight operations and chief test pilot, emerge from the 777X after landing at Boeing Field in Seattle. AP -
Boeing employees and guests watch coverage as they welcome a Boeing 777X airplane returning from its inaugural flight at Boeing Field in Seattle. AFP
Boeing's 777X is expected to miss its planned debut in 2021 when the larger version of the 777 mini-jumbo was supposed to be delivered to customers.
The plane is already behind schedule after facing glitches with its General Electric GE9X engines, among other issues.
Another delay is now likely in the cards but Boeing wants to get production “going hard” to put planes in the air by 2022-2023, Reuters reported.
Aircraft buyers are reluctant to take delivery of large aircraft when the pandemic has forced them to shrink operations.
The 777X will be the first new jet to be introduced since the grounding of Boeing's 737 Max following two fatal crashes, so it is expected to face greater scrutiny from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other global aviation regulators.
