Guy Norris/LOS ANGELES
Boeing has pushed back the planned in-service date of the 777-200X/300X until at least the first quarter of 2001, largely because of its inability to secure a major launch customer.
The company has confirmed that it is "decreasing effort" on development of the 777 derivatives, but insists that the transfer of staff to assist the 757-300 and 767-400 programmes does not mean that the project is dead.
The company says that the ultra-long-range and higher-capacity derivatives are "not cancelled", but admits that "the entry-into-service date is extending further to the right". The original in-service target date for the 777-200X was September 2000, but this is now thought to have been pushed back until at least the first quarter of 2001.
Boeing's decision to delay the -200X was driven largely by airline uncertainty. "None of our customers has given us a critical entry-into-service date, and we will slow development until they do," it says.
The move comes despite recent warnings from Malaysia Airlines (MAS), which has urged Boeing to speed up the programme, rather than slow it down. MAS signed a memorandum of understanding in March 1997 covering the purchase of up to 15 -200X twinjets as part of a wider deal, but no other potential launch airlines (including key 777 customer Singapore Airlines) have come close to committing to either the -200X or -300X.
Many have preferred instead to opt for the rival Airbus A340-500/600.
Source: Flight International
