Aircraft

Boeing secures over 130 orders for upgrade package for older-model 777s

By Stephen Trimble

A quarter of operators of older Boeing 777s have purchased a new performance improvement package that should boost the widebody airliner's fuel efficiency by 1%.

Boeing has officially launched the package for 777-200/200ER/300 models (dubbed "Classics") with orders for 139 aircraft from "at least seven" carriers, including launch customers Air New Zealand, Continental Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Boeing also confirms that Austrian Airlines, El Al and KLM have ordered upgrades for their 777 Classics.

© Boeing

Entry into service is targeted for early 2009 after Boeing completes a certification programme.

The performance improvement package adds a drooped aileron and a ram air system, as well as replacing the 777's existing wing vortex generators with smaller versions. Both the drooped aileron and the wing vortex generators can be installed overnight during a scheduled maintenance check. The ram air system requires two or three days for installation.

The combined improvement is aimed at reducing annual fuel consumption per aircraft by as much as 454,000kg (one million lb), the company says. Such savings should reduce an airline's annual spending on fuel by $300,000 per aircraft, according to Boeing estimates.

Drooping the 777's outboard ailerons on both wings generates a 0.4% fuel efficiency improvement. Another 0.4% improvement comes from installing the ram air system. The upgrades are aimed at capturing a maturing market for fuel savings and emissions reductions with the oldest models of the relatively new 777 fleet. The three oldest models account for 553 deliveries, of which 25% are scheduled to receive the upgrade package.

Boeing also plans to continue seeking ways to optimise fuel efficiency for all of its older-model aircraft in service. The search is currently focused on upgrading navigation systems to use curved approach paths. Another major effort on older-model 777s is weight-saving improvements.