Leading operators press manufacturer to make up its mind on variant by early 2005
Boeing is under pressure from leading 747 operators to decide whether it is going to commit to a stretched derivative of its largest aircraft, which could see it firm up its 747 Advanced plans early next year.
Boeing has long been proposing a two-model 747 Advanced family - a 450-passenger version and similarly sized freighter - incorporating 7E7 technology, such as its new engines. The passenger version would have a range of 14,800km (8,000nm).
Boeing vice-president for marketing Randy Baseler says that the hurry-up message came from a meeting in Hong Kong during October with "around 12" of the top 747 operators. "They are pressing us to commit to doing the stretch, as they want to move on with their fleet planning," says Baseler. "They told us we need to make our mind up by early next year."
Baseler is unsure what sort of initial launch commitment will be required to keep Boeing's customers happy, but a programme launch next year would enable an entry into service "sometime in 2009". He says "the greater pressure is for the passenger version".
Boeing aims to develop the 747 to fill the perceived "200-seat gap" between the 350-seat class A340-600/777-300ER and the 550-seat A380. Baseler concedes that if the 747 Advanced does not go ahead, it could hand some of the 400 passenger and freighter sales it forecasts in the 400-500 seat category over the next 20 years to its rival.
Some of the airlines attending the Hong Kong conference are already A380 customers, says Baseler, and if there is no 450-seat 747 offering, A380s could be ordered and "mis-used" to fill the gap. Alternatively airlines could acquire more 350-seaters and increase frequencies.
MAX KINGSLEY-JONES / LONDON
Source: Flight International
