“Boeing Fails to Deliver Any 777 Freighters in Q1, 11 ‘Gliders’ Await Engines”
Boeing faced a setback as it failed to deliver any 777 freighters in the first quarter of the year. Despite producing 11 aircraft, the planes are stored without engines, given the nickname ‘gliders’. This delay not only impacts Boeing’s cashflow but also poses challenges for its customers and the airfreight market.
With 55 orders to fulfill, including airlines like Air China Cargo, Qatar, Lufthansa, and EVA Air, Boeing is under pressure to resolve the issues. GE, the engine manufacturer for the 777F, attributed around 80% of delivery shortages to supplier constraints, reflecting the wider supply chain issues affecting the aerospace industry.
Airbus also acknowledged post-Covid challenges, citing skill level issues and late deliveries. Boeing’s delays could have repercussions in its competition with Airbus, as airlines weigh options between the A350F and 777-8F based on delivery timelines.
Several airlines, including Air China Cargo, China Airlines, DHL Aviation, Emirates, Ethiopian, FedEx, EVA Air, Latam Brazil, Lufthansa, Maersk, Qatar, and SilkWay, are eagerly awaiting their 777F deliveries, indicating the widespread impact of Boeing’s production delays.
