Boeing has reduced the production rate of its 747-8 program from two airplanes to 1.75 airplanes per month because of lower market deman...
Boeing has reduced the production rate of its 747-8 program from two airplanes to 1.75 airplanes per month because of lower market demand for large passenger and freighter airplanes.
Boeing expects long-term average growth in the air cargo market to resume in 2014, and forecasts a demand for 790 large airplanes (such as the 747-8 Intercontinental) to be delivered worldwide over the next 20 years.
Boeing 747-8 family, includes the 747-8 Intercontinental passenger airplane and the 747-8 Freighter.
The 747-8 family provides airlines with double-digit improvements in fuel burn, operating costs and emissions, while being 30 percent quieter and adding more capacity.
The 747-8 fuselage is 250 feet 2 inches (76.3 meters) long, which is 18 feet 4 inches(5.6 meters) longer than the 747-400. The stretch provides space for 51 additional seats to accommodate 467 passengers in a typical three-class configuration and offers 26 percent more cargo volume.
To date, there are 110 orders for passenger and cargo versions of the 747-8, 46 of which have been delivered.
The first delivery of an airplane at the new production rate is expected in early 2014.
