Boeing has confirmed that it now anticipates delivering the first 777X aircraft in 2025, according to the company’s first quarter 2022 financial report.
“While the team is progressing well in development and testing, delivery of the first 777-9 airplane is now expected in 2025, based on an updated assessment of the time required to meet certification requirements,” Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun announced in a statement.
In addition, Boeing will temporarily pause the production of 777X through 2023 in order to “minimize inventory and the number of airplanes requiring change incorporation”.
“This will result in approximately $1.5 billion of abnormal costs beginning in the second quarter of this year and continuing until 777-9 production resumes,” Boeing outlined in the statement.
Boeing had earlier said that it expected the 777X certification in the final quarter of 2023, with the first delivery before the end of that year. Boeing 777X, the new generation of the 777 family, was announced in 2013, accumulating about 300 orders during the years that followed. However, after numerous problems and delays, the first prototype only conducted its first flight in January 2020.
In its financial report, Boeing has also revealed that it had submitted the 787 Dreamliner certification plan to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). According to Boeing, the production rate of the 787 is at a very low rate and will continue to be so until deliveries resume, with an expected gradual return to five per month.
“The company continues to anticipate 787 abnormal costs of approximately $2 billion, with most being incurred by the end of 2023, including $312 million recorded in the quarter,” Boeing said.
Deliveries of the Dreamliner have been suspended since May 2021 over manufacturing issues. The FAA also announced on February 15, 2022, that it wants final sign-off on each 787 Dreamliner before it is delivered to customers.
“We completed the required work on initial airplanes and are conducting Boeing check flights. We will continue to give our teams the time they need, engage transparently and follow the lead of our regulator on next steps and timing,” Calhoun said commenting on the situation regarding the Dreamliners.
In the first quarter of 2022, Boeing posted a net loss of $1.2 billion. This compares to a net loss of $561 million in Q1 2021.
“We increased 737 MAX production and deliveries and made important progress on the 787 by submitting our certification plan to the FAA. Despite the pressures on our defense and commercial development programs, we remain on track to generate positive cash flow for 2022, and we’re focused on our performance as we work through certification requirements and mature several key programs to production,” Calhoun added.
In Q1 2022, Boeing delivered a total of 95 commercial aircraft. Total company backlog at the quarter-end was $371 billion.