Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker is urging Boeing to develop a freighter version of its 777X, and has confirmed his carrier’s willingness to serve as a launch customer for such an aircraft.
Boeing insists its 777X programme remains on track for 2020 deliveries despite fresh engine issues that seemingly push the certification timeline toward the outer edge of the airframer’s expectations.
GE Aviation is redesigning a static compressor part for the in-development GE9X engine, to power the Boeing 777X, after the component showed premature deterioration during the test programme.
Airbus chief commercial officer Christian Scherer believes a 10-abreast configuration for the A350-1000 would mean the variant would be “uncatchable” by the rival Boeing 777-9.