Boeing cuts 777 production

BOEING will slash production of its 777 wide-body aircraft next year by nearly a third. The aircraft manufacturer attributed the move to a “significant deterioration in the business environment for airlines and cargo operators”.

Current production of seven 777s a month will be cut down to five a month, a reduction of -28.5 per cent, starting in June 2010.

“These are extremely difficult economic times for our customers,” said Scott Carson, head of Boeing’s commercial aircraft group. “It’s necessary to adjust our production plans to align supply with these tough market conditions.”

The sudden and dramatic drop in airfreight demand has seen carriers cancelling and delaying delivery of orders made during the previous years’ boom period.

Both Boeing and Airbus have been working through their back orders but with far fewer new ones being made production on many models is finally having to be cut. Two of those will include the 747-8 and 767. The 737 production rate will remain the same.

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