US planemaker petitions regulators for a fuel-efficiency waiver covering 35 aircraft as certification deadline looms ahead of delayed 777-8F
Boeing is seeking an emissions exemption from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to enable it to continue selling 777 freighters beyond the end of 2027 and bridge the gap until its 777-8 freighter comes to market.
The US aircraft manufacturer officially filed the petition for exemption with the US DOT on 19 December, with a view to selling 35 more 777Fs.
Without an exemption, these aircraft would not be eligible for a Certificate of Airworthiness from 1 January 2028 because they do not comply with fuel efficiency limits to curb emissions.
The letter submitted to the DOT stated the petition is "for an Exemption from Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 38.1 and Title 40 CFR 1030.1 for Boeing Model 777F".
Boeing said in the petition document that its 777F exceeds the fuel-efficiency limits set out in the regulations, which means the aircraft model will no longer be eligible for FAA airworthiness certificates after 31 December 2027.
The company also pointed out that although its new generation 777-8F will operate within fuel-efficiency limits, the model will not yet be on the market when the 777F can no longer be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The 777-8F was originally anticipated to come to market in 2027, but in October 2024, Boeing announced it would delay launch until 2028.
The petition document said: "Boeing’s 777 Freighter (777F) exceeds the fuel-efficiency limits set by 14 CFR S38.17 and therefore that model will no longer be eligible for FAA airworthiness certificates after December 31, 2027. Boeing is developing a more fuel-efficient successor, the 777-8 Freighter (777-8F), which is expected to comply with the limits; however, the 777-8F will not be available until after that date.
"The requested relief will allow Boeing to meet anticipated customer demand and support the substantial public interest in the sustained transportation of air cargo prior to the 777-8F entering service. This petition therefore requests exemption of a total quantity of 35 777F airplanes until achievement of 777 8F first delivery and entry into service."
Boeing has requested that the petition for an exemption be approved by 1 May 2026.
Customers have ordered 63 orders 777-8Fs since Boeing launched the programme in 2022 with Qatar Airways as the launch customer
Most recently, China Airlines confirmed to Air Cargo News that it would expand its order for 777-8Fs by four units to eight aircraft.
