Boeing postpones 777-9 deliveries for another year as it falls behind certification schedule

The American aircraft manufacturer Boeing has announced that the first deliveries of the new 777-9 wide-body aircraft (777X series) will be possible only in 2026. This was announced by the company's CEO Kelly Ortberg, writes Reuters.

According to Ortberg, Boeing is behind the 777-9 certification schedule, so the first deliveries of the aircraft are expected only next year, six years later than planned at the start of the program in 2013. At the same time, no new technical problems have been identified.

Boeing has already lost several billion dollars on the 777X program, and even minor delays have a major financial impact. At the same time, the company is working to increase production of other models.

In particular, Boeing plans to increase the production of the 737 MAX to 42 aircraft per month by the end of the year (currently 38 aircraft), and to increase the production of the 787 from the current seven to ten aircraft per month in 2026.

Ortberg emphasized that the company's top priority after returning to profitability is to reduce the debts accumulated during the crisis years.

Previously, the administration Donald Trump pressured U.S. allies, including Japan and South Korea, to purchase Boeing aircraft as part of trade agreements.

• On May 14, the state-owned airline Qatar Airways signed an agreement to purchase 160 aircraft for $200 billion from the American manufacturer Boeing.