Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE
Boeing is making amends for its failure to launch its planned 777-200X/300X growth derivatives in time for the Paris air show by refocusing efforts on securing key commitments for the aircraft from Singapore Airlines (SIA) and American Airlines before the beginning of September.
The US manufacturer is pushing to launch the ultra-long-haul 777-200X and increased-gross-weight (IGW) stretched -300X versions before early September, when pre-development programme funding runs out and a fresh budget submission will have to be made to the office of the company president.
Malaysia Airlines has already signed a letter of intent for 15 777-200Xs and is ready to commit to an initial firm order for six, while Thai Airways International wants another six to eight aircraft. Boeing, however, is looking for a launch order from a larger "blue-chip" carrier, such as SIA, before going ahead with full-scale development.
SIA is being offered 12 777-200Xs, but has yet to be convinced that the aircraft will meet its payload/range requirements between Singapore and Los Angeles all year round. SIA wants it to carry 206 passengers over a still-air range of 16,260km (8,800nm), but is also stipulating an extra 60min of fuel for airport diversion, hold and go-around. It is also factoring in fuel deterioration and a 2% empty-operating-weight penalty.
Boeing has raised the -200X's maximum take-off weight (MTOW) to 333,960kg, and added auxiliary belly-fuel tanks, in an effort to meet SIA's evaluation rules. The aircraft, however, still falls short by between 11 and 95 passengers at different times of the year on the return leg from Los Angeles.
Given limitations on the amount of available engine thrust being proposed, Boeing is unable to offer any further increase in MTOW. The company is arguing instead that, with standard fuel reserves and discounting weight penalties, the aircraft would meet SIA's payload/range targets.
American is expected to decide shortly on the final make-up of its 777 order, after General Electric and Rolls-Royce submitted their respective engine bids at the end of May. The airline is understood to be considering buying seven 777-200IGWs, 12 -200Xs and six -300Xs. GE and Pratt & Whitney are also discussing a jointly developed engine for the 777X.
Other Boeing proposals still before airlines include 12 777-200Xs and six -300Xs for Korean Air, eight -200Xs for EVA Air and up to 24 generic 777s for China Airlines. Earlier offers to Qantas and Northwest Airlines are now understood to have lapsed.
Source: Flight International
