Mike Bair is not expecting to announce any more Dreamliner sales at the show, but the 7E7 programme chief arrives here in buoyant mood.
"We couldn't have scripted it much better," he admits of the aircraft's initial marketing drive following its formal launch in April.
On top of the launch commitment from Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) for 50 of the type, Air New Zealand ordered two in May, while the UK's First Choice Airways and Italy's Blue Panorama signed up for six and four aircraft respectively just two weeks before Farnborough.
The ANA order is the single largest launch order Boeing has ever had, says Bair. It will take the first 7E7s in 2008.
Boeing plans to begin converting these letters of intent into firm contracts from later this month. Including the four customers already announced, Boeing has "approaching two dozen" carriers that have accepted order proposals for the 7E7, says Bair. This means they have secured delivery positions, accepted Boeing's business offer and paid deposits on every aircraft.
"We are getting a phenomenal market response for this product," says Bair. "We will be delivering into the up-cycle, which is a good position to be in."
Boeing expects to have booked 500 orders for the 7E7 by the time the first aircraft flies in 2007 and its target is to have 200 orders by year-end, says Bair.
Source: Flight Daily News
