Boeing and the launch customer for the newest version of the 747, the 747-8 Freighter, are still reportedly locked in negotiations over the new plane, with Cargolux demanding richer compensation from Boeing for its failure to meet performance promises.
Boeing was forced to cancel a big delivery ceremony this week for the first of the new generation aircraft after the European cargo carrier refused to accept delivery of the first plane.
Aviation sources say the dispute may be larger than the 747-8 issues. They say the disagreement between Boeing and its customer also involves compensation for Qatar Airways for delivery delays for 787 Dreamliner aircraft the airline has ordered from Boeing. Qatar Airways owns 35 percent of Cargolux.
The first 747-8 reportedly is overweight, not an untypical problem for the first group of new aircraft off the assembly line. Manufacturers usually modify the aircraft later in the production cycle to cut excessive weight.
Launch customers and manufacturers ordinarily agree on monetary compensation to the launch customer to compensate for the initial aircraft shortcomings. Boeing redesigned the wing on the 747-8, which added unexpected weight to the plane but also improved its aerodynamic efficiency, Boeing says.
The 747-8 is also equipped with new, more fuel-efficient engines and a longer fuselage to carry more cargo than its predecessor, the 747-400. The more a plane weighs, the more fuel it consumes.
John Gillie: 253-597-8663 john.gillie@thenewstribune.com
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