WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE:
BA] today launched the new 777-8 Freighter and expanded its
market-leading 777X and freighter families of jetliners with an
order for up to 50 aircraft from one of the world's largest cargo
carriers, Qatar Airways.
Qatar Airways will be the 777-8 Freighter launch customer with a
firm order for 34 jets and options for 16 more, a total purchase
that would be worth more than $20
billion at current list prices and the largest freighter
commitment in Boeing history by value. The order also supports
hundreds of U.S. suppliers from across 38 states, will sustain more
than 35,000 U.S. jobs, and provide the American economy with an
annual estimated economic impact of $2.6
billion during the contract's delivery period.
Featuring advanced technology from the new 777X family and the
proven performance of the market-leading 777 Freighter, the 777-8
Freighter will be the largest, longest-range and most capable
twin-engine freighter in the industry. With payload capacity nearly
identical to the 747-400 Freighter and a 25% improvement in fuel
efficiency, emissions and operating costs, the 777-8 Freighter will
enable a more sustainable and profitable business for
operators.
At the White House, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, His Excellency Ambassador Sheikh
Mishaal bin Hamad Al Thani, Director
of the White House National Economic Council Brian Deese, and
Boeing President and CEO Dave
Calhoun joined the formal signing by Boeing Commercial
Airplanes President and CEO Stan
Deal and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency
Mr. Akbar Al Baker, who reaffirmed
the airline's commitment to the 777X family with the
record-breaking 777-8 Freighter deal. First delivery of the new
freighter is anticipated in 2027.
"Boeing has a long history of building market-leading freighter
aircraft and Qatar Airways is honored to have the opportunity to be
the launch customer for the 777-8 Freighter, an aircraft which will
not only allow us to further enhance our product offering for our
customers, but also help us meet our objectives to deliver a
sustainable future for our business," said Mr. Akbar Al Baker. "Today marks a great day in the
ever-building and strong relationship between Qatar Airways and
Boeing. We certainly push Boeing hard to deliver upon our
expectations, and the team at Boeing consistently strives to meet
and exceed our expectations, giving the opportunity for us to be
here today to launch the most significant new freighter aircraft
for a generation."
"We are delighted to launch Boeing's next great cargo airplane –
the 777-8 Freighter – with Qatar Airways, one of the world's
largest cargo carriers and our partner since the airline began
operations 25 years ago," said Deal. "Our team is ready to create
an airplane that will serve them well for many decades. Qatar
Airways' selection of the efficient 777-8 Freighter is a testament
to our commitment to provide freighters with market-leading
capacity, reliability and efficiency."
Deal added, "We are proud that Boeing provides over 90% of the
world's dedicated freighter capacity. With global supply chains
under pressure and high demand for e-commerce, the performance and
capabilities of the fleet is more important than ever."
Boeing is designing the 777-8 Freighter, the newest member of
the 777X family, to maximize efficiency and environmental
performance. The widebody family features engineering design
improvements and innovative technologies, including a new
carbon-fiber composite wing and new fuel-efficient engines. With a
range of 4,410 nautical miles (8,167 km), the 777-8 Freighter has a
maximum structural payload of 118 tonnes, allowing customers to
make fewer stops and reduce landing fees on long-haul routes.
Boeing will build the 777-8 Freighter in its Everett, Wash., factory. The company has
invested more than $1 billion into
the Everett site to support 777X
production and sustain thousands of local jobs for decades to
come.
As part of today's agreement, Qatar Airways will convert 20 of
its 60 777X family orders to the 777-8 Freighter. Qatar Airways is
also ordering two current 777 Freighters – Boeing's best-selling
freighter of all time – to capitalize on the buoyant air cargo
market. Customers from around the world have ordered more than 300
777 Freighters since the program began in 2005.
Boeing and Qatar Airways also signed a Memorandum of
Understanding for a firm order of 25 737-10 aircraft and purchase
rights for 25 additional airplanes. The total value of this 737-10
commitment is nearly $7 billion at
current list prices. The largest model in the MAX family, the
737-10 seats up to 230 passengers in a single-class configuration
and can fly up to 3,300 miles. The fuel-efficient jet can cover 99%
of single-aisle routes around the world.
"Qatar Airways very much looks forward to adding the 737-10 to
its fleet, with this new variant of the 737 being ideally suited to
our short-haul network, allowing us an opportunity to further
enhance our product offering for our customers, modernize our fleet
and operate the most efficient aircraft in its category," said
Akbar Al Baker.
"The largest member of the 737 family, the 737-10 is an airplane
that offers more capacity, greater fuel efficiency and the best
per-seat economics of any single-aisle airplane," said Deal. "We
are proud of our partnership with Qatar Airways and honored that
this world-class airline continues to put its trust in our Boeing
team."
An international carrier with a passenger fleet including Boeing
777 and 787 Dreamliner airplanes and an all-Boeing cargo fleet of
747 and 777 freighters, Qatar Airways serves more than 140 key
business and leisure destinations worldwide.
About Qatar Airways:
A multiple award-winning
airline, Qatar Airways was announced as the 'Airline of the Year'
at the 2021 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air
transport rating organisation, Skytrax. It was also named 'World's
Best Business Class', 'World's Best Business Class Airline Lounge',
'World's Best Business Class Airline Seat', 'World's Best Business
Class Onboard Catering' and 'Best Airline in the Middle East'. The airline continues to stand
alone at the top of the industry having won the main prize for an
unprecedented sixth time (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019 and
2021).
Hamad International Airport (HIA), the airline's home and hub,
was also announced as the 'World's Best Airport' in the Skytrax
2021 World Airport Awards. HIA has been steadily rising in the
'World's Best Airports' rankings since the start of its operations
in 2014.
Qsuite, a patented Qatar Airways product, features the
industry's first-ever double bed in Business Class, as well as
privacy panels that stow away, allowing passengers in adjoining
seats to create their own private room, a first of its kind in the
industry.
Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline
alliance oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from
more than 1,000 airports in more than 160 countries, with 14,250
daily departures.
Qatar Airways Cargo, the world's leading international air cargo
carrier is based in Doha,
State of Qatar. It serves a global
network of more than 60 freighter destinations and 140 passenger
destinations utilising freighters, belly-hold passenger flights,
passenger freighters and mini freighters. The airline's
freighter fleet includes two Boeing 747-8 freighters, two Boeing
747-4 freighters, 26 Boeing 777 freighters, one Airbus 310
freighter and two Boeing 777-300ER mini freighters. It also has an
extensive road feeder service (RFS) network.
With considerable investments in its products, services, quality
handling, infrastructure, facilities, people and procedures at each
of its destinations, the cargo carrier provides high operating
standards for the transportation of cargo. Qatar Airways Cargo
remains committed to sustainability and giving back to communities
it serves through its sustainability programme WeQare, built on the
key pillars of sustainability: environment, society, economy and
culture.
Contact
Boeing Communications
media@boeing.com
Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa
Tel: +974 4022 2200
More information
www.boeing.com/freighters
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SOURCE Boeing