Air TransportBoeing has postponedagain the start of commercial flights for its 777X aircraft to 2027, pushing the timeline back from its previous target of 2026, according to Bloomberg.
The move follows persistent certification delays that have affected the program’s progress. This shift means the jet will enter service almost eight years after its initial development schedule.
The 777X program, which includes the 777-9 and 777-8 passenger models and the 777-8F freighter, was launched in 2013 as a more efficient replacement for older four-engine jets such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A380.
The cost of the latest delay is estimated between $2.5 billion and $4 billion, according to industry sources. Some airlines, including launch customer Lufthansa, now expect deliveries to occur no earlier than late 2027 or early 2028.
Lufthansa faces new delivery expectations as the first airline set to operate the 777X. Emirates, another major customer, has repeatedly expressed frustration over the certification challenges facing the jet.
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg recently acknowledged that the company has not met its goals for obtaining regulatory approvals.
Since the program’s launch, the timeline for the 777X has slipped several times due to technical and regulatory issues. The latest delay adds to a series of setbacks, further extending the wait for operators seeking to modernize their fleets. Boeing originally aimed to introduce the 777X to the market by 2020.
