Early delivery positions for the 7E7 are going fast as launch customers queue up to be among the first to put it into service.
Boeing's 7E7 project chief Mike Bair says the company has a "little over" 90 aircraft available in 2008 and 2009.
"There is no question that there is a bit of a land rush going on," says Bair. In the past the big aircraft leasing companies such as ILFC and GECAS have placed large orders for popular widebodies, but Bair admits they are going to have a hard time securing deliveries for the first two years of production. Their first chance to enter the 7E7 order book is most likely going to be by taking aircraft already ordered by airlines.
The financial predicament of the major US carriers means they are unlikely to be able make early commitments to the 7E7. This is causing a conundrum for Boeing. "Traditionally they are among our largest customers," says Bair.
"We're scratching our heads trying to figure out if there is anything we should do right now or not," he says. "Our options are to stick with a 'first come, first served' approach, to the other extreme of reserved positions."
Source: Flight Daily News
