GUY NORRIS / SEATTLE
Ultra-long-range variant is first manufacturing casualty of US attacks as uncertainty over demand hits programme
Boeing has suspended its ultra-long range 777-200LR development programme for up to 18 months due to poor market prospects and uncertain demand. The twinjet becomes the first known aircraft development project to become a casualty of the attacks on the USA.
The company says the decision, on 1 October, is a "direct result of everything" that has hit the air transport business since the 11 September terrorist attacks on the USA. Despite the suspension, Boeing says first deliveries to EVA Air of Taiwan, the only firm customer for the long haul twinjet to-date with three on order, will still take place as scheduled in May 2006.
"It has been basically put on the shelf, but if the market changes we can put it right back into swing," says Boeing, which has already completed around 10% of engineering release on the programme. "All work has been suspended except for sales support, though it is not a cancellation."
The timetable for the larger 777-300ER meanwhile remains unaltered. In contrast to the poor orderbook for the -200LR, there are 46 commitments for the -300ER, the first of which is set for delivery around October 2003. First flight of the General Electric GE90-115B-powered -300ER is scheduled for December 2002, with certification now expected around September 2003, around one month behind the original schedule. The -300ER programme, which has passed the 25% design release point, is "unaffected as it stands, and is not jeopardised", the company adds.
The timetable for the -200LR was originally set to run between four and six months behind that of the -300ER, but Boeing reveals that - even without the suspension just announced - the programme already faced significant delays. It says first delivery slots are now available in July 2005, more than a year later than was originally scheduled.
Source: Flight International
