Boeing expects Asian success for B747-8
Boeing is expecting to get the first order for its brand new B747-8 passenger airplane later this year, a senior company official said yesterday.
The Chicago-based aircraft maker believes the new model, which was launched last November, will eat into the market for the A380, made by Europe’s Airbus.
Boeing said its super jumbo would add to momentum it built last year, when it regained a sales lead over its arch-rival Airbus.
“We named this new plane B747-8 because eight is a lucky number in Asia and we expect over 50 per cent of the demand for the aircraft will come from Asia,” said Randy J. Tinseth, a vice-president at the firm.
China will need 75 B747-8-sized aircraft over the next 20 years, Tinseth added.
The new passenger jet, also called the B747-8 Intercontinental, is a lengthened version of the B747-400. It has 450 seats in a three-class configuration. It’s the world’s only jetliner in the 400- to 500-seat market.
By using technology used on the B787 Dreamliner, the new jetliner is expected to provide equivalent cost savings, 9 per cent lower seat-mile costs and 21 per cent greater cargo volume, than the B747-400.
Boeing will start assembling the B747-8 Intercontinental in mid 2008, with the first jet to be delivered in 2010.
“The B747-8 and A380 have different sizes and will not compete directly. That definitely helps our position in the market,” Tinseth said.
Analysts said the B747-8 would play an important role in Boeing’s international competition with Airbus in the large-sized aircraft market.
Boeing predicts that the world will need more than 900 400-seat or larger planes over the next 20 years. Airbus believes the market for jumbo jets is 1,700 planes in the next 20 years.
When Boeing launched the B747-8 programme last year, it received firm orders for 18 B747-8 Freighters 10 from Cargolux of Luxembourg and eight from Nippon Cargo Airlines of Japan.
The combined value of those initial orders is approximately US$5 billion.
The B747-8 Freighter is 5.6 metres longer than the B747-400 Freighter and its ton-mile costs are 15 per cent lower than its predecessor. The first B747-8 cargo jet will be delivered in 2009.
Airbus has received 159 orders for the A380, including orders for 27 freighters, from 16 airlines.
The first A380 will be delivered to Singapore Airlines by the end of this year.
China Southern Airlines has ordered five A380s and will receive its first double-decker in the last quarter of next year.
Airbus is to hold an A380 seminar in Guangzhou today. Five specialists in the A380 programme will introduce the plane.
Boeing recorded 1,002 net commercial airplane orders in 2005, setting a new company record for total orders in a single year.
The 2005 total surpasses its previous record of 877 net orders in 1988.
Airbus received 1,055 net orders last year, but the total value of its orders was less than that for Boeing due to Boeing’s successful sales of wide-body twin-engine aircraft B787 and B777.
Source: China Daily
May 17, 2006
By: US Agent - 16th July 2006 at 06:33
Boeing Contracts Spain’s Aernnova for Engineering Services on 747-8 Program
(Source: Boeing Co.; issued July 11, 2006)
MADRID — The Boeing Company today announced a contract with Aernnova (formerly Gamesa Aeronáutica) of Vitoria, Spain, to help design fuselage and wing sections for the Boeing 747-8. Aernnova’s contract on the 747-8 program will run through mid 2008.
Aernnova engineers will assist Boeing on the 747-8 primary wing structure and on the forward fuselage section between the wing and nose.
“We are delighted to have Aernnova join the 747-8 program,” said Corky Townsend, chief project engineer, 747-8 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The team of Aernnova has been a great partner in past Boeing programs. As Gamesa Aeronáutica, the company made key contributions to the 747 Large Cargo Freighter in the swing zone area. In addition, this contract further strengthens our relationships with the Spanish aerospace industry.”
Aernnova is the first Spanish supplier to support the 747-8 program. Approximately 80 engineers from Aernnova will work on the 747-8 program. Aernnova engineers will be based at Boeing’s Everett, Wash., facility, as well as at Aernnova’s facilities in Madrid and Vitoria.
“We are extremely pleased to participate in this great Boeing project,” said Ignacio López Gandásegui, executive president of Aernnova. “This agreement confirms our engineering capabilities and technological potential. It is also a consolidation of our relationship with Boeing.”
By: US Agent - 16th July 2006 at 05:52
Stork Fokker Wins Design Work on Boeing 747-8 Wing
(Source: Boeing Co.; issued July 6, 2006)
SEATTLE — The Boeing Company today announced a contract with Stork Fokker to help design the wing for the new Boeing 747-8.
Stork Fokker is providing the 747-8 program with engineering services on a short-term contract, commonly known as an “industry assist”. The Netherlands-based aerospace company has assigned 20 engineers to work as analysts and designers assisting Boeing on several aspects of the 747-8 wing design, with much of the focus on the trailing edge.
“We are excited to have Stork Fokker assisting us on the 747-8,” said Corky Townsend, chief project engineer, 747-8 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The company routinely has demonstrated excellent design and project-management skills on several Boeing projects, including our 747 Large Cargo Freighter program. Stork Fokker’s industry-leading engineers will serve a critical role in assisting our team design the 747-8’s wing.”
The new wing design will provide several enhancements for the 747-8. It will increase the airplane’s fuel capacity and efficiency, while at the same time reducing noise and maintenance costs.
“This extension of our working relationship recognizes the dedication, commitment and respect of the entire team of Boeing and Stork Fokker employees,” said Henk Valk, vice president of marketing and sales for Stork Aerospace. “It is an honor to be part of the team working the 747-8.”
By: US Agent - 18th May 2006 at 23:59
Well, if there are no objections, maybe we can make this the new 747-8 update thread? Not requesting this gets “sticky” treatment…we’ll leave that to the moderator’s discretion. 😉
Boeing Names Smiths Aerospace as Supplier for 747-8 Program
Wednesday May 17, 7:00 am ET
Yahoo News
SEATTLE, May 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA – News) today announced the selection of Smiths Aerospace to supply the thrust reverser actuator system (TRAS) for the new Boeing 747-8 airplane.
The London-based supplier will design a TRAS using similar technology to the system it provides for the Boeing 777. This continuity will offer Boeing and its 747-8 operators the benefits that result from the improved reliability of a mature product.
Smiths will design and manufacture the TRAS at its Los Angeles facility, with hardware deliveries expected to begin in second-quarter 2007. The TRAS will power the thrust-reverser system currently being developed, certified and produced by Middle River Aircraft Systems.
“Smiths’ extensive knowledge of, and track record with, thrust reverser actuation systems make them the right choice for this critical component of the airplane,” said Jeff Peace, vice president – program manager, 747-8 Program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Together with our growing team of international partners, we continue to progress on making the newest member of our 747 family a reality.”
The 747-8 family, which includes the 747-8 Intercontinental passenger airplane and the 747-8 Freighter, was launched in November 2005 by Cargolux Airlines and Nippon Cargo Airlines.
“Smiths’ thrust reverser actuation system experience and reliability on the Boeing 777 program were strong contributors to winning the 747-8 program. This recent win continues Smiths’ leadership position in thrust reverser actuation technology,” said Dr. John Ferrie, president, Smiths Aerospace.
Additional Information
747-8 Family: The 747-8 is a family of passenger and freighter airplanes that serves the market for airplanes of 400 seats and larger. The 747-8 Intercontinental passenger airplane seats 450 passengers in a typical three-class configuration and offers the lowest seat-mile cost of any passenger airplane. It provides operators a 14,815-km (8,000-nmi) range, 21 percent greater cargo volume and 9 percent lower seat-mile costs compared to the 747-400. The 747-8 Freighter will fly 8,275 km (4,475 nmi) with a maximum structural payload capacity of 140 metric tonnes (154 tons). It offers 16 percent more revenue cargo volume than the 747-400F with slightly greater range. The 747-8 Freighter upholds its predecessor’s legendary efficiency, with equivalent trip costs and 15 percent lower ton-mile costs than the 747-400F. The 747-8 Freighter will enjoy the lowest ton-mile costs of any freighter, giving operators unmatched profit potential. The first 747-8 Freighter will be delivered to launch customer Cargolux in September 2009.
Sign In
May 18, 2006 at 10:17 pm