Delta 737 Buy Goes Live
Delta Air Lines confirmed its order for 100 737-900ER aircraft this morning, the largest single order for the extended range stretch of the single-aisle jet. As the airframer thinks about the geographical balance of its narrowbody backlog growth, it's worth noting that of Boeing's net 737 orders for 2011 (274), wholly 74% (200) comes from just two customers.
747-8 & 787 First Deliveries
Boeing is closing in on delivery of the first 747-8 freighter no earlier than September 7, say company sources, though they caution its possible that this date may shift to slightly later in the month. The airframer has yet to release an official schedule for the delivery to Cargolux. RC502's first flight will be the key milestone for guiding the first delivery timeline. Cathay Pacific is expected to become the second recipient of freighters in September, followed by Atlas Air in October.
All Nippon Airways' first 787, ZA101, is closing in on first delivery sometime between September 22 to 30, with a ferry flight to Japan two days later. With its engine run on August 18, the aircraft is closing in on its first flight on September 1. FAA and EASA type certificate and FAA production certificates will be awarded August 26.
Also, ANA announced its first 787 domestic (Okayama, Hiroshima) and international routes (Beijing, Frankfurt).
787 Cancellation
Boeing's backlog of 787s shrunk by six this week, with a cancellation by an unidentified carrier. Possible suspects: Delta, Gulf Air or possibly a European carrier. The airframer now holds 821 order for the type.
General Electric received certification of its GEnx-1B engine with its Performance Improvement Package 1 that will shave 1.4% off the specific fuel consumption (SFC) of one of the two engine options for the 787. The improvement comes from an increased in the number of low pressure turbine (LPT) blades. This certification clears the way for the first of two planned PIPs to be flown on ZA005 or ZA006. Certification of the GEnx-1B 787 airframe combination is still expected in the fourth quarter followed by delivery to launch customer Japan Airlines.
Charleston's First 787
Just as Hurricane Irene is closing in on the eastern seaboard, the Charleston final assembly line has taken delivery of the last of the major structural sections for Airplane 46 (Air India), the first 787 to be built outside of Everett. The aft fuselage was walked across the campus from the former Vought Aircraft Industries building on August 22 where the structure is fabricated and undergoes systems installation. The section 47/48 joined the already delivered wings, center, forward and empennage structures, which first began arriving on 24 June.
Prior to delivery to final assembly, Airplane 46's center fuselage was used to shakedown new tooling on Line C, the third structural join and systems integration pulse line at the Charleston campus. Airplane 57, the next Charleston-built 787, will be joined in the newly inaugurated line.
Rendering Credit Boeing
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