747-8I Moves Ahead

Ever since Lufthansa became the launch customer for the 747-8I back in December 2006, questions continue to be raised about just why the airplane is not being purchased by other airlines - not least because its cargo hauling sistership, the 747-8F continues to attract a far greater level of interest and orders too.

The sales lull almost vanished when British Airways had decided that it too would follow its European rival in placing an order for 747-8I’s. The airline then ordered A380’s after Airbus tabled a revised offer. As mentioned in the last entry, BA seems to have ruled out the 747-8I for a second time.

Interestingly, Lufthansa’s desire to acquire the 747-8I has not been diminished in the least despite being the only passenger airline to have ordered the type (save for a few VIP orders also secured for the airplane).

All images courtesy of Boeing

On November 6 2007, 11 months after the launch order, Boeing announced that it had completed firm configuration of the 747-8I.

Having had Emirates all but “demand” a shorter fuselage length for the 747-8I rejected, Lufthansa has the added benefit of defining its own needs to match that of the airplane’s capability as the sole customer and with minimal interference from those customers who have asked, but not yet bought the 747-8I.

Indeed, it has been and erroneously continues to be suggested that Lufthansa will cancel or change the 747-8I order into something else. Given that prior to the firm configuration being reached just over two months ago, Lufthansa would have had ample opportunity to do what these sceptics perhaps incorrectly predict.

Moving forward, Lufthansa will not only have a unique position in being able to tailor the 747-8I to suit its operations, the very fact that Boeing itself rejected overtures from Emirates to offer two fuselage lengths speaks volumes.

Equally, naysayers had incorrectly asserted that the 777F and 747-8F projects would suffer due to the ongoing 787 development.

With the 787 having been delayed for a second time, resources across these three programs are not as stretched as some would falsely have us believe.

The 777F which commenced major assembly on January 29, 2008 will have a much shorter flight test program given that its sibling, the 777-200LR has already contributed to much of the analysis and testing required for certification. Assembly on the first 747-8F is not due to commence until the end of 2008 - leaving Lufthansa and Boeing to work unhindered on finalising the 747-8I prior to eventual service entry in late 2010.

Without doubt it must be concerning for Boeing that the 747-8I has not sold as well as other models in the portfolio - especially since the company has had three consecutive years of quadruple digit orders. While every 747-8I order can be translated into one less for the larger Airbus A380, one customer for the 747-8I in VIP guise tells me that despite a slow start in sales it “has the potential to be a money spinner“.

One thing is for sure, Lufthansa is not giving up on the 747-8I as some mistakenly believe.

15 comments January 31st, 2008