The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted Boeing permission to commence certification flights for the 777-X, setting the stage for Emirates to receive the first 777-9 aircraft by the end of 2025, according to Khaleej Times.
Emirates, already the world's largest operator of Boeing 777 aircraft, has placed orders for 55 additional 777-9s and 35 777-8s at the Dubai Airshow 2023, bringing its total 777-X order book to 205 units. A senior aviation analyst noted that the initial 777-9 is slated to join Emirates' fleet in 2025, with new orders extending the induction of 777-9s until 2035.
With the latest order, Emirates becomes one of the launch customers for the 777-8 passenger variant, with expected deliveries starting in 2030. An Emirates spokesperson expressed enthusiasm for the milestone in the 777-X program and their ongoing collaboration with Boeing regarding the delivery of their 205 ordered 777-X aircraft.
The 777 continues to be the cornerstone of Emirates' operations, capable of non-stop flights of up to 18 hours, connecting Dubai to cities across six continents. The new 777-9s and 777-8s will replace the retiring 777 aircraft and support Emirates' future growth strategies.
Emirates, the largest purchaser of the approximately 400-seat plane originally slated for 2020, is poised to receive the first delivery in 2025. Boeing has indicated that the first delivery could be delayed until 2026. Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at StrategicAero Research, highlighted the significance of the 777-9 aircraft certification process, which will benefit all customers awaiting this fuel-efficient aircraft.
Boeing has received over 530 orders for the entire 777-X family. Ahmad noted that Emirates, as the largest customer expecting the first delivery, will welcome the Type Inspection Authorisation (TIA), enabling FAA certification experts to assess the safety, performance, and capabilities of the 777-X before it enters passenger service.
The aviation analyst suggested that a 12-15 month flight test campaign could potentially delay service entry to early 2026. Given the challenges at Boeing and their search for a new CEO, it is crucial for the company to meticulously address all details to ensure the 777-X meets FAA and other regulatory standards.
Boeing has initiated certification flight testing for the long-delayed 777-9, with US aviation regulators on board. The company conducted the wide-body aircraft's first flight after receiving TIA. The FAA emphasized that safety drives the certification timeline, with such processes typically taking many months.
The 777-9 is part of the 777-X project aimed at upgrading the 777 wide-body jet, which has faced multiple delays since its inception in 2013. Boeing's pilots have accumulated over 3,500 flight hours across 1,200 test flights since the first 777-X took to the air in January 2020. The company is confident that the twin-engine wide-body aircraft will enter the market in 2025, having received around 480 orders for the 777-9 and other planned models.
