A fifth of all airfreight in fifteen years

The Boeing 777 Freighter has carried up to 20% of global air freight since its debut in 2009, said the US plane-maker, in marking its 15^th anniversary.

It described the twin-engine aircraft as the most popular production widebody freighter with a global fleet exceeding 250 – and counting. Boeing adds that the type accounts for 37% of all large widebody freighters flying today.

Boeing has delivered the 777 Freighter to 36 customers, who have operated it for a combined 4 billion miles and 8.4 million flight hours, connecting markets such as Asia with the US and Europe, without the need for a refuelling stop.

Vice president of commercial marketing, Darren Hulst, commented: “Dedicated freighters will remain a critical part of global trade in the future with their unique combination of speed and reliability in a dynamic economy.

“In just 15 years, the 777 Freighter has become the most popular dedicated freighter in history with its demonstrated versatility. The 777 Freighter carries a wide variety of payloads with the range and economics that keep Boeing freighters at the top of the industry.”

Boeing says its next generation 777-8 Freighter, due to be delivered from 2027, will build on the strengths of the original with the latest generation technologies of the 777X family and will have the lowest costs of any large freighter, while providing increased capacity. It will also offer a 30% improvement on fuel use and CO2 emissions compared with the 747-400.

It forecasts that the global freighter fleet to reach 3,435 planes by 2040.