Boeing Co.'s (BA) new 747-8 freighter received U.S. Federal
Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency
certification, winning the race over the 787.
The latest version of Boeing's iconic two-deck 747, which first
entered service in 1970, had been plagued by production and design
delays and is more than a year late to market, while the Dreamliner
has faced years of delays due to various techical bugs.
Boeing has said it would deliver the first 747-8 freighter to
Luxembourg's Cargolux Airlines International SA in early September,
a few weeks before the first Dreamliner is due to arrive at All
Nippon Airways Co. (ALNPY, 9202.TO).
Cargolux representatives weren't immediately available for
comment.
The 747-8 freighter is 18 feet longer, offering 16% more revenue
cargo volume than its predecessor. It will be powered by General
Electric Co.'s (GE) GEnx-2B engine.
Last month, Boeing had cut projected deliveries of its new 787
and 747-8 aircraft to between 25 and 30 this year. The defense and
aerospace company also said its second-quarter profit jumped 20% as
its commercial aircraft business reported higher deliveries and
revenue from services.
Shares were recently trading at $58.70, down 23 cents.
-By Melodie Warner, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2283;
melodie.warner@dowjones.com