Air Canada, Air France Are Launch Partners
Boeing has officially launched the Boeing 777 Freighter,
the world's largest and most capable twin-engine freighter,
following the completion of a launch order from Air France.
Air France ordered five 777 Freighters, with options for three
additional airplanes, to replace its 747-200F fleet. The first 777
Freighter is scheduled for delivery to Air France in the fourth
quarter of 2008.
"The acquisition of the Boeing 777F will enable us to take
advantage of the 'family effects' and technical uniformity found in
the 777-200ER and the -300ER fleet which has already proved its
capacity for on-time performance and fuel-saving," said Jean-Cyril
Spinetta, chairman and chief executive officer of Air France. "This
aircraft will considerably increase flown tonne revenues and will
therefore heighten the profitability of our cargo division."
Air Canada also announced in April the inclusion of the 777
Freighter as part of its selection of 777s and 787s to renew its
long-haul fleet. Upon completion of that agreement, Air Canada will
join the 777 Freighter launch team.
"The world wants the 777 Freighter and we're going to build it,"
said Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer of Boeing
Commercial Airplanes. "Air cargo is the fastest-growing segment of
commercial aviation and a critical enabler in our global economy.
The 777 Freighter will deliver tremendous value to owners and
operators, and we are delighted to have Air France and Air Canada
leading our launch team."
Launch of the new freighter brings Boeing's 777 family to six
models. Working with cargo operators worldwide, Boeing selected the
777-200LR Worldliner as the platform for the 777 Freighter because
it offers the range and payload capability operators want. The
first 777-200LR Worldliner will enter passenger service in January
2006.
The 777 Freighter will be capable of flying 4,965 nautical miles
(9,195 kilometers) with a full payload and market-preferred cargo
load density, making it the world's longest-range freighter. With
the lowest trip cost of any large freighter and excellent ton-mile
economics, the 777 Freighter will build on the 777 family's
demonstrated success in delivering lower fuel consumption,
maintenance costs, and operating costs than other airplanes in its
class.
The new airplane will feature capacity never seen before on a
twin-engine freighter. With a maximum takeoff weight of 766,000
pounds (347,450 kilograms), the 777 Freighter will have a revenue
payload capability of 229,000 pounds (103 metric tons).
The 777 Freighter will be powered exclusively by the world's
most powerful commercial jet engine, General Electric's
GE90-110B1L. The 777 Freighter will meet QC2 noise standards for
maximum accessibility to noise-sensitive airports.
The 777 Freighter complements the Boeing 747-400 Freighter
family, which is the air-cargo industry's standard. Both the 777
and 747 Freighters accommodate 10-foot-high (3.1 meter) pallets,
providing operators with maximum flexibility.
The Boeing 747 Freighter family currently constitutes more than
half of the world's total freighter capacity. Boeing freighters of
all models comprise more than 90 percent of the total worldwide
freighter lift. Boeing forecasts that large widebody freighters (65
metric tons and above in capacity) will comprise 31 percent of the
market by 2023.