Boeing’s newest freighter will be heading to Qatar Airways in five years’ time.
The first delivery of the long-awaited Boeing 777X freighter will be within five years. According to Boeing, the first aircraft will be handed over to the model’s launch customer, Qatar Airways, in 2027.
The 777-8 Freighter is coming
According to its vice-president of sales and marketing for the Middle East, Boeing has confirmed that it expects to deliver the first 777-8 freighter (777-8F) to Qatar Airways in 2027. Initially launched in 2013, the 777X family of aircraft (which includes both the 777-8 and the 777-9) has already built up a substantial order book for the US-based manufacturer.
With its European rival Airbus attracting orders for its A350 freighter offering, Boeing has been keen to get a comparable aircraft into its launch customers’ hands as soon as possible. It launched its 777-8F as a response to the A350F in January of this year.
Qatar Airways ordered up to 50 Boeing 777-8 freighters in February of this year as the manufacturer added the new model to cater to growing cargo demand. The Middle East-based airline ordered 34 of the aircraft with options for a further 16 in a deal valued at more than $20bn based on list prices.
