Boeing eyes improvements for 767 freighter

Boeing has confirmed it is examining how it can improve the efficiency of the 767 freighter during the next decade.

Air Cargo News sister title FlightGlobal revealed in October that Boeing has been studying a possible re-engined version of the twinjet for freighter and passenger markets, powered by GE Aviation GEnx engines.The project is understood to be designated “767-X”.

Asked about the airframer’s plans for the 767 during the Dubai air show, Randy Tinseth, Boeing’s vice-president of commercial marketing, confirmed that potential developments were being considered.

“We’re going to be delivering 767s well into the next decade and the last ones off the line will probably be operated for as long as 40 years by the US government,” he said.

“We’re looking at the future of the 767 in that [freight] marketplace. We have certain requirements that kick in in the middle of the next decade in terms of efficiency and we’re asking ourselves how we might address that. We’re looking at that closely.”

Boeing’s range of new-build freighters extends from the 767-300F through the 777 Freighter to the 747-8F. Tinseth said consideration is also being given to its wider long-term cargo strategy:

“We think part of the freight market is around the 777-sized freighter, and we’re engaged with our customers to see what the next generation of 777 freighter looks like based on the 777X platform.”

Boeing has previously talked of developing an all-cargo 777X F based on the smaller 777-8 passenger aircraft.