Boeing aims to sell 400 more 787s BOONSONG KOSITCHOTETHANA Having secured 255 orders and commitments for its new mid-sized fuel-efficient 787 jet from 20 airlines around the world, Boeing is actively chasing orders for another 400 units from 25 other carriers. The US airplane maker is betting heavily on the new jetliner in its belief that there would be worldwide demand for as many 3,500 units of such type of aircraft, worth some US$400 billion over the next 20 years. Boeing Commercial Airplane expects to capture more than half of the demand for the aircraft, the medium-to-long-haul with seating capacity in the range of 200 to 300, over the period with its 787 Dreamliner. Boeing's new aircraft is, for the time being, directly pitched against European rival Airbus' A330 and A340 currently in operation, as well as the future A350 which Airbus hopes to put into service by 2010, only two years after the 787. Speaking in Bangkok yesterday, Randy Tinseth, director for product and services marketing at Boeing, said one of the biggest appeals of the 787, formerly known as the 7E7, was its fuel efficiency, with consumption 20% lower than for similar-sized airplanes, thanks partly to the use of composite materials in the fuselage which shed some weight. The 787's fuel burn per seat is claimed to be 20% lower than for the A330-200 and 40% lower than the A330-400, according to Mr Tinseth. By using more composite materials in the fuselage, he said the jet would burn 20% less fuel than comparable planes. The 25 carriers which Boeing has sent out proposals to has the potential demand for 400 units of the 787, which comes in three versions with capacities ranging from 220 to nearly 300 passengers and a flying range from 6,500 km to 15,700 km. Boeing described the demand for the 787, with a catalogue price of about US$120 million, as unprecedented in the duration of one year after the aircraft was officially authorised for sale. The latest 787 order was placed by Northwest Airlines for 18 units. The single largest order Boeing has received to date is 50 units from All Nippon Airways. Thai Airways International, one of Boeing's targeted customers, has yet to place any orders for the 787 model. Boeing did not discuss the development cost of the 787, nor how many planes it needed to sell to justify the development cost. Production of the 787, recognised by its distinctive nose, wings, tail, and engine cowls, bigger window and larger overhead bins, is slated to start in 2006. The first flight is expected in 2007 with certification, delivery and entry into service in 2008. Meanwhile, the US plane maker has begun to draw airlines' attention to the latest version of its jumbo jet, dubbed 747 Advanced, Boeing's answer to Airbus' gigantic double-decker A380 though at a smaller scale. Details of the modernised jumbo were scarce though Mr Tinseth said the 747 Advanced would be derived from today's B747-400, the main staple for long-haul high-capacity aircraft among international airlines, with new fuel-efficient engines and upgraded cabin with more passenger seats (34). Besides, the 747 Advanced was claimed to beat an A380's trip cost by 19%. Boeing is working with airlines and freight carriers on the development of the 747 Advanced. Roger EWROPS