Interest from Emirates, others spurs development of 787-10
Tuesday March 28, 2006
Boeing is in final negotiations with Emirates for up to 50 787-10s, which will become the fourth model of the fastest-selling twin-aisle aircraft in history.
Mike Bair, VP and GM of the 787 program, told media yesterday in a global conference call, "It's not a matter of if but when we are going to do it. We have three versions and there have been a few customers, most notably Emirates, that have asked us for a stretched version with 300 seats." He indicated that up to a dozen carriers are in discussion with Boeing about the model, which would be ready for service late 2012.
What is attracting Emirates is the dash 10's seat-mile costs and fuel burn, both of which will be lower than the A380's. It also will have 80% more revenue cargo space than the A380, according to sources at Emirates. It is understood that Singapore Airlines and British Airways are among the carriers keen on the version.
According to Boeing, the dash 10's range likely will be similar to that of the 787-8 at 8,000-8,500 nm. The dash 9 can fly 8,600-8,800 nm. with 250 seats.
The decision to build the 787-10 was flagged after Qantas selected the 787-9HGW with an MTOW of 255 tons late last year (ATWOnline, Dec 22, 2005). At the time, Bair told this website that the 787-10 was "very doable with a modest investment." Boeing agreed to the higher-weight version of the Dreamliner in late September (ATWOnline Oct. 3) to meet Qantas's demand for the capacity of the dash 9 with better range than the dash 8. The 787-9HGW flies 8,790 nm. with a full complement of passengers and luggage.
Emirates held off committing to the A350-9 while trying to convince the US manufacturer to build the dash 10. Emirates President Tim Clark told ATWOnline at the A380 unveiling more than a year ago that "we have told Boeing we want [the 787-10]." Rolls-Royce is ready to develop a more powerful version of the Trent 1000 for the 787, telling ATWOnline that "it is our intention to power any and all variants of the 787 family."
Boeing had been reluctant to cannibalize its 777-200ER model, but after much soul-searching Bair said earlier that it is "better for us to step on it than somebody else. If you can do a product the market is clamoring for, you'd be silly to deny it."
by Geoffrey Thomas
http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=4505