Russian flag-carrier Aeroflot has officially cancelled an order for a total of 22 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
The now called off deal was singed in as early as 2007, with a list price of US $5.5 billion. It was removed from Boeing’s order book in September, the Seattle Times first reported earlier this week.
Aeroflot’s Boeing order for 22 Dreamliner jets in total consisted of 18 787-8 and four of the slightly larger 787-9. The Russian airline still has three remaining Boeing 777-300ER due for delivery, along with 14 Airbus A350-900 – the largest competitor to the American manufacturer’s 787 Dreamliner family.
In terms of current fleet, Aeroflot operates Airbus A330 and Boeing 777-300ER on long-haul flights, while Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A320 family aircraft are used for short and medium haul routes. It has upcoming orders for nine Airbus A320neo family aircraft and 50 of the new Russian airliner Irkut MC-21, which is currently undergoing testing and is yet to enter commercial service. The airline also operates 49 Russian-made Sukhoi Superjet 100 on regional flights, with 100 more on order.
Meanwhile, Boeing is aiming to increase its monthly output of 787 Dreamliners to 14. The 787 program is an important, if not the most important source of cashflow for the manufacturer, as it’s best selling aircraft – the 737 MAX – remains grounded for now. Boeing will have to look for new orders for its Dreamliner, otherwise it would have to cut production rates again by 2022, as there are only about 550 remaining 787s in its order book.
An order for eight 787-10 by Air New Zealand, which was first announced in May, has been firmed up during September.
Since the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner was handed over to launch customer All Nippon Airways in 2011, the company has delivered almost 900 aircraft of this family, making it the fastest selling passenger widebody jet ever.
Jakob Wert is an aviation journalist from Germany. He built up the website IFN.news and is the Editor-In-Chief of International Flight Network.
