Singapore Airlines and Boeing in talks regarding 777-9 delays
After several delays and eventually failing to deliver the long-awaited Boeing 777-9 aircraft on time, Boeing has reached out to Singapore Airlines to discuss potential delays. The Singapore national carrier has 31 of the aircraft type on order and will need to wait in line behind at least two other airlines before receiving the aircraft.
About two months ago, Boeing yet again delayed deliveries of the Boeing 777X aircraft. This time until 2025, which is five years later than initially intended. Production of the aircraft won’t resume until 2023, which has prompted some aircraft lessors to suggest that the aircraft’s future is in serious doubt.
The further delay has also led to speculation that some airline customers may cancel orders or switch to rival Airbus and its A350 aircraft. One of Boeing’s most significant airline customers, Emirates, had threatened to withdraw its Boeing 777X order if it kept being delayed. The Dubai-based carrier has a massive 115 of the Boeing 777X on order and is a planned launch customer for the aircraft.
Singapore Airlines is another of Boeing’s more prominent airline customers, with the Chicago-based manufacturer’s products accounting for more than 40% of the airline’s fleet, excluding the fleet of its cargo subsidiary. In regards to the Boeing 777X, Singapore Airlines has 31 of the aircraft type on order. With so much at stake, it makes sense that Boeing would reach out to the carrier for discussions about potential delays, as highlighted by the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Goh Choon Phong:
“We are a very important customer to Boeing. I’m sure Boeing will tell you that too.”
The national carrier is also due to take delivery of three Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners later this year, with another six scheduled for next year and onwards. However, Boeing has also stalled deliveries for the Boeing 787s due to a recurring issue of structural glitches, though it was not specified if the discussions included talks regarding delays of those deliveries.
In mid-May, Singapore Airlines had stated its confidence that its growth plans would not be significantly affected by the delay of the Boeing 777X aircraft. The almighty ‘biggest twin-engined commercial aircraft’ was planned to become the eventual flagship and renew its aging yet reliable predecessor, the Boeing 777-300ERs.
Additionally, the Star Alliance member airline is slowly but surely embracing the rebound in passenger demand but still far from hitting pre-pandemic passenger capacity. But besides the not-so-urgent need for capacity just yet, Singapore Airlines is eager to put its range of all-new suites and seating concepts meant for the Boeing 777X in motion, as highlighted by Executive Vice President Commercial Lee Lik Hsin:
“We have to wait to see what happens with Boeing, but we are very excited and waiting to unveil those brand new products to the world.”
With its branding of its “A Great Way To Fly,” Singapore Airlines has undoubtedly become well-known for its services and cabin concepts. Given the airline’s fantastic track record, the suites and cabin concepts for the Boeing 777X aircraft are sure to be a real pleaser. And while passengers won’t be able to experience it for years to come, the national carrier is taking advantage of the delay to revisit the designs for ways to improve the next-generation cabins for all classes, based on still-emerging trends and technologies. simpleflying.com