Boeing resumes developing long-haul 777-200LR jet Wednesday March 12, 11:06 AM EST (New throughout) EVERETT, Wash., March 12 (Reuters) - Boeing Co. (BA), the world's largest commercial aircraft maker, on Wednesday said it will resume development of a long-haul jetliner it mothballed after the Sept. 11 attacks, as air travel slumped. The 300-passenger jet -- the 777-200LR, which stands for "long range" -- would fly 10,500 miles (nearly 17,000 km), allowing nonstop trips from New York to Singapore, Los Angeles to Mumbai, India, and Chicago to Sydney, Boeing said. Pakistan International Airlines and EVA Airways of Taiwan have ordered five 777-200LR planes, Boeing said. Production should begin in October 2004 and the Pakistani airline is slated to receive its first deliveries in January 2006, it said. Citing slow sales, Boeing shelved development of the plane in October 2001 after engineers completed about 10 percent of the design. Deliveries of another Boeing long-range model, the 777-300ER, are slated to begin in April 2004, Boeing said. "We believe there is a strong market" for the planes, said Lars Andersen, program manager for the long-range Boeing 777s, in a press statement. "As the world economy improves and travel growth returns, we're convinced that we'll see additional sales." Higher aircraft sales would help Boeing, which is based in Chicago but runs its jet business from Seattle, weather a prolonged slump in business and consumer air travel. Boeing expects to deliver 280 jetliners this year, down 27 percent from 371 last year, and the fewest since 1996. It said on Tuesday its commercial jet unit delivered 24 aircraft in February, down 33 percent from 36 aircraft one year ago. Rival Airbus SAS (EAD) (EAD) expects to deliver about 300 aircraft in 2003, which could make it the industry leader for the first time. Boeing shares traded Wednesday morning on the New York Stock Exchange at $25.19, down 3 cents. They have fallen about 50 percent from a year ago, when they closed at $50.28. Roger EWROPS