=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SF Gate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/news/archive/2002/03/12/f= inancial1634EST0248.DTL ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday, March 12, 2002 (AP) Boeing to delay new 777 delivery on airlines' request SONOKO SETAISHI, Dow Jones News Service (03-12) 13:34 PST (AP) -- NEW YORK (Dow Jones News) -- Boeing Co. will push back the first delivery of its new 777-300ER aircraft by several months as its airline customers, reeling from the post-terrorism slump in air travel, asked for a delay. The 365-seat jetliner represents the second new model Boeing is delaying since September. The world's largest planemaker in October suspended work on the 777-200LR, a companion jet, for 18 months due to lack of customer interest. Chicago-based Boeing now plans to deliver the 777-300ER in March 2004, said spokeswoman Debbie Heathers. The jetliner, a longer-range version of the two-engine 777-300, was originally scheduled to be delivered between October and December of next year. The two long-range 777 models that are being delayed were intended in pa= rt for trans-Pacific flying. Hurt by weaker demand, many carriers have trimmed trans-Pacific routes and some abandoned plans to expand their long-range services. Air France, Japan Airlines Co., Taiwan's EVA Airways Corp., International Lease Finance Corp. and General Electric Co.'s aircraft-leasing unit have ordered a total of 46 777-300ERs. Heathers said most of the customers asked for a delay. "With the weak market, no one is anxious for big, expensive new airplanes," said Paul Nisbet, aerospace analyst at JSA Research Inc. in Newport, RI. Engineering work on the 777-300ER is proceeding as planned and Boeing expects to start assembling the first one in June, with the first flight test to follow early next year, Heathers said. EVA, the only customer for the 777-200LR, a longer-range version of the 777-200, has long been rumored to be considering canceling its $3 billion order for the two models. EVA last week denied a report that it was preparing a cancellation. Boei= ng spokeswoman Ivy Takahashi said the three 777-200LR and four 777-300ER jetliners ordered by EVA are still slated for delivery beginning in 2005. The carrier also has options for eight more longer-range 777s. Boeing expects to sell more than 500 of the two longer-range models, with about 45 percent going to Asian carriers. The delivery postponement comes as Boeing is slowing jetliner production and laying off 30,000 commercial aircraft workers to adjust to the slower demand. =20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2002 AP