SEATTLE- Recently, a report published by Bloomberg, revealed that the Boeing 777X program faces further delivery delays.
Emirates (EK) anticipates significant delays in the delivery of Boeing’s 777X aircraft, pushing the timeline to mid-2027 or possibly extending into 2028. The Dubai-based airline maintains orders for 205 units of the new widebody aircraft, marking a substantial commitment to its future fleet strategy.
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Boeing 777X Delivery Delays Continue
Internal operational and financial planning documents seen by Bloomberg at Emirates now exclude the 777X from near-term fleet projections, despite Boeing’s public assertion of a 2025 delivery target. This strategic adjustment reflects growing uncertainty about the manufacturer’s ability to meet its stated timeline.
The delivery schedule has experienced multiple setbacks since its original 2020 target date. Manufacturing complications, an extended worker strike, and a rigorous certification process have contributed to these delays, impacting Emirates’ fleet modernization plans.
This means that the Boeing 777X program faces a delay of almost eight years.
The Federal Aviation Administration’s certification process for the 777X has intensified following recent safety incidents involving Boeing aircraft. A near-catastrophic event in early 2024, coupled with two previous crashes, has prompted heightened scrutiny of Boeing’s manufacturing standards.
The regulatory oversight has expanded beyond routine certification procedures, focusing on comprehensive safety assessments and manufacturing quality control. This enhanced examination process directly affects the timeline for introducing the 777X into commercial service.
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Emirates Frustration
Emirates President Tim Clark voiced frustration over aircraft delivery delays at a November meeting, emphasizing the airline’s urgent need for fleet expansion. Clark’s previous optimism for 2026 deliveries, expressed at the Farnborough Air Show, has shifted to a more reserved stance regarding timeline projections.
The prolonged wait has forced Emirates to abandon its original 777X interior design plans, deeming the cabin technology and aesthetics outdated. This setback prompted a comprehensive retrofit program for the existing fleet, including the Airbus A380, requiring significant financial investment.
The delivery delays affect multiple carriers beyond Emirates. Lufthansa (LH), the 777X launch customer, extends the service life of aging aircraft while securing additional Airbus widebody orders. Qatar Airways maintains orders for over 70 units of the new aircraft.
Emirates operates exclusively widebody aircraft, centering its fleet on the Airbus A380 and current-generation Boeing 777. The carrier recently integrated Airbus A350 aircraft in limited numbers, following previous criticisms of the aircraft’s engine performance.
In late 2023, Emirates expanded its 777X commitment by ordering 55 additional 777-9 variants and 35 777-8 units. The airline allocated US$4 billion to modernize its current A380 and 777 fleet, compensating for the extended 777X delivery timeline.
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Order Cancellations?
Boeing relocated 38 orders for its 777X aircraft from its active backlog to a special accounting category, signaling increased uncertainty about these sales. This adjustment emerges from Boeing’s annual financial report and website data updates.
The company’s public backlog figures, updated on January 14, initially showed 464 total 777 orders, encompassing both 777 Freighters and the developing 777X variant. Boeing subsequently reduced this figure to 426 aircraft in its latest website update, FlightGlobal reported.
Further, the transferred orders now reside in Boeing’s “ASC 606” accounting designation, reserved for contracts facing potential execution challenges. This category includes orders affected by buyer financial stability, geopolitical sanctions, delivery postponements, and production disruptions.
Boeing conducts quarterly reviews of ASC 606 classifications, adjusting order statuses based on current risk assessments. The company maintains these orders retain valid contracts despite their reclassification to the contingency category.
The aerospace manufacturer emphasizes sustained market interest in the 777X program, citing customer demand for fuel-efficient aircraft. This reclassification occurs amid ongoing development delays and certification challenges for the new widebody aircraft.
Feature Image by Clément Alloing | Flickr
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Lufthansa Will be the First Airline in World to Operate Boeing 777X
The post Boeing 777X First Delivery Delayed by 8 Years, Here’s How appeared first on Aviation A2Z.