Airlines are "salivating over a freighter version" of the 777, says Alan Mulally, president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes - and he expects it to be available in 2008-9.
"I predict that the 777 freighter will end up replacing all big freighters over time," he said at the show, because its operating performance and economics are so good, up to 30% better than current types.
Boeing is also talking to airlines about squeezing more out of the 777, perhaps taking advantage of greater performance to be gained from its General Electric GE90 engines.
"There is a little bit more stretch in the 777, but not much," said Mulally. The case for a further development of the aircraft would depend on how much would need to be invested in the project, such as new landing gear.
Source: Flight Daily News
