CDB.A300
24th May 2005, 10:15
The Air France board of directors has approved an order for five Boeing 777 cargo freighters, with options to buy three more.
The orders, which Air France is still negotiating with The Boeing Co., would be worth about $1 billion at projected list prices, though airlines typically get steep discounts.
Chicago-based Boeing, which builds most of its commercial planes in the Seattle area, began offering the 777 freighter to customers late last year, but has not yet formally launched the program. It plans to do so later this year and start delivering planes in late 2008, Boeing spokesman Marc Birtel said Friday.
In a statement released Thursday, Air France said the 777 freighters will replace 747-200Fs, Boeing four-engine cargo jets the airline says have become too expensive to continue flying because of rising fuel costs.
The airline said it's aiming to begin phasing in the twin-engine 777s into its fleet by the fall of 2008.
Last month, Air Canada ordered two 777 freighters as part of a bigger deal that included 16 other 777s and 14 787s.
The 777 freighter will be based on the passenger version of the long-range 777-200LR, which is scheduled to enter service in early 2006. The freighter would be able to carry 222,000 pounds of cargo up to 6,400 miles.
Airbus SAS, Boeing's chief rival, has said its new superjumbo A380 freighter will be able to carry 341,000 pounds of cargo the same distance. It's also scheduled to enter service in 2008.
The orders, which Air France is still negotiating with The Boeing Co., would be worth about $1 billion at projected list prices, though airlines typically get steep discounts.
Chicago-based Boeing, which builds most of its commercial planes in the Seattle area, began offering the 777 freighter to customers late last year, but has not yet formally launched the program. It plans to do so later this year and start delivering planes in late 2008, Boeing spokesman Marc Birtel said Friday.
In a statement released Thursday, Air France said the 777 freighters will replace 747-200Fs, Boeing four-engine cargo jets the airline says have become too expensive to continue flying because of rising fuel costs.
The airline said it's aiming to begin phasing in the twin-engine 777s into its fleet by the fall of 2008.
Last month, Air Canada ordered two 777 freighters as part of a bigger deal that included 16 other 777s and 14 787s.
The 777 freighter will be based on the passenger version of the long-range 777-200LR, which is scheduled to enter service in early 2006. The freighter would be able to carry 222,000 pounds of cargo up to 6,400 miles.
Airbus SAS, Boeing's chief rival, has said its new superjumbo A380 freighter will be able to carry 341,000 pounds of cargo the same distance. It's also scheduled to enter service in 2008.