Today, Boeing and Korean Air celebrated the delivery of their first 747-8I, line 1506 RC051 HL7630. This marks the first of ten Intercontinentals for Korean Air. Unfortunately for us, these ten will probably be the last ten 747-8Is to deliver in passenger configuration.
"Unfortunately for us, these ten will probably be the last ten 747-8Is to deliver in passenger configuration."
ReplyDeleteWill Transaero take all four of their's before Korean takes their tenth? According to your production chart, Korean Air up to #7 come off he line before any further Transaero birds, but Transaero #3 and #4, and Korean #8, #9 and #10 don't appear on that chart yet - any idea of the firing order? And any word in Arik Air's two?
Transaero has pushed their deliveries into 2016. They were originally scheduled for 2 in 2015 and 2 in 2016, so at the very least that is pushed out a year each. Depending on the economic situation, it's possible it could be further. However, as recently as a couple of weeks ago, their DCEO stated that they were expecting delivery in 2016, but had no firm dates yet.
DeleteArik's still show up on Boeing's list, but those were long rumored to have been converted to 77Ws I believe.
The most recent Intercontinental rumors that I have seen were that Boeing was pitching PIA to switch 5 77W frames they have on order to 747-8is, and also that they are trying to get an agreement with TK to pick up the 2 UN frames on short notice, either as part of a trial, or perhaps as part of a larger deal.
Weren't UN supposed to have ordered more 748i? Its also rumors that there were plans to buy 4 more frames, but the order never materialized. Anyways lets wait and see.
DeleteBTW,
Is it too late to talk talk to Corsair S.A. about replacing their oddball 744s? These are high density machines similar to UN's Future 748's, but with a much higher seat density and also for tourists.
You're right Nick, I forgot about Transaero. Shame on me. It's still a tossup as to who will take the last passenger 747-8I, as Korean is probably taking their last frames in 2016 or 2017. Of course I'm still hoping Boeing sells more, it just seems dim at this point.
DeleteTransaero will take 2 747-8Is this year in December.
DeleteI wonder if this will have any impact:
Deletehttp://www.atwonline.com/finance-data/russia-s-aeroflot-acquire-transaero-airlines
Nippon Cargo have apparently cancelled 4 frames (although interestingly the cancelation shows in Boeing's weekly update through to September 1, but not in its monthly update through to the end of August - the cancellation must have happened on the 1st)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-03/boeing-747-jumbo-jet-cancellations-mean-no-net-orders-for-2015
SU has bought UN according to Anet.
ReplyDeleteThis might throw their order up in the Air.
Will see what happens.
Aeroflot will oversee Transaero's restructuring. In light of this I feel a lot less confident of them taking the 747s.
Deletehttp://atwonline.com/finance-data/aeroflot-agrees-lead-transaero-restructuring
A cancellation like this will only thin out a very thin Backlog, added on top of the NCA cancellations.
DeleteHowever there is some good news about if one were to look around a bit.
These fall along the lines of a Combi Liner version making an appearance despite the certification costs, and other penalties. Except that I've not seen any study or number crunch on this exercise. Combi's have been discussed before, and remotely, may bring something to the table?
I wonder if Fat chances could be a literal description here.
Singapore Airlines reactivated one 747-400F to service: LN1322 9V-SFL
ReplyDeleteAnd it's looks like both China Southern 747-400Fs will go to VisionAir International after D-checks:
Deletehttp://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Vision%20Air%20International-planed-b747.htm
Better than nothing! Thanks for the info.
DeleteLooks like 747s were part of the 50 widebody order that China announced today. No firm breakdown yet, but hopefully there's a decent number of Intercontinentals in there!
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/GlennFarleyK5/status/646758308020363265
They should at least for for an even 10, or 20!
DeleteLX-VCM got special theme: https://twitter.com/JenSchuld/status/647207858656821248
ReplyDeleteLN1502 RC672 VQ-BFE arrived in Everett:
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/woody2190/status/647838566807048193
Cargolux talking to possibly buy 5 more 748 freighters
ReplyDeletehttp://news.airwise.com/story/cargolux-may-buy-5-boeing-747-8fs
Good to see this come to pass. I believe that is the 5 frame order that the CEO mentioned they started discussions with Boeing about back in March, at the delivery of LX-VCL.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.king5.com/story/tech/science/aerospace/2015/03/09/747-8-orders/24675881/
He also mentioned wanting Boeing to keep building them and that he'll order more in that video. :-)