Boeing starts final assembly on 777F, delays 787 again

Final assembly work on the first Boeing 777 Freighter began at the company's Everett, Wash., facility this week.

The 777F, which will have a range of 9,045 kilometers with a revenue payload capability of more than 103 metric tons, is scheduled to be delivered to launch customer Air France in the fourth quarter after summer test flights. So far 11 customers have ordered 78 of the freighters.

Boeing's relatively smooth progress with the 777F contrasts its experience with the new 787 Dreamliner passenger plane. A number of airlines are now seeking compensation from Boeing, which earlier this week announced a further delay to the 787 delivery schedule. The first 787 is now planned to be delivered in the third quarter of 2009, instead of the original May 2008 date. 

Source: American Shipper