Jetmakers push freighters as industry gathers in Dubai

Boeing said on Saturday it was in advanced talks to sell a cargo version of its future 777X jetliner jet while Airbus predicted an A350 freighter deal soon, as aerospace giants eye a post-pandemic boom in e-commerce.

Boeing also indicated it was nearing the end of production snags on the 787 Dreamliner, but reiterated the timing of any return to normal deliveries depended on talks with regulators.

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"We are in pretty advanced discussions with a number of customers. The (777X freighter) looks good from a design standpoint and a requirements standpoint," Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of commercial sales and marketing, said.

The U.S. planemaker is poised to launch what it says would be the world`s largest and most capable new freighter, while European rival Airbus is seeking buyers for an A350 cargo version that it describes as lighter and more efficient.

Airbus expects to announce a launch order for the A350 freighter "soon," Chief Commercial Officer Christian Scherer told a separate news conference on the eve of the Dubai Airshow, the first significant industry gathering since the pandemic.

"I am quite happy with the market response around the world and in the region to the A350 freighter," he added.

The 777X freighter is expected to be based on the smaller of two versions of the 777X family, known as the 777-8.

It had been expected to be launched only after the 777-8 passenger version, but Mounir said it could jump ahead of the 777-8, whose sales have lagged the main 777-9 variant.

Boeing is sticking to plans to deliver the 777-9 in 2023, Mounir said. The president of Dubai`s Emirates, the biggest customer for the 777X, has sharply criticised Boeing for around three years of delays and a lack of certainty on delivery dates.

REGULATORS` CALL

Qatar Airways has said publicly it is in talks with Boeing over the possible purchase of a 777X freighter, while FedEx is widely seen as another early contender. Airbus hopes to land an A350 cargo deal with Singapore Airlines.

Freighter traffic has increased as passenger jets that usually carry goods in the hold were grounded by the pandemic.

Mounir and Scherer, sales chiefs for the world`s two largest planemakers, both said a market recovery was under way, though doubts remain over demand for the largest wide-body jetliners.

Boeing is meanwhile approaching the resumption of deliveries of its 787 Dreamliner, after suspending them to deal with production flaws, and engaging with Chinese regulators over the re-certification of the 737 MAX in China, Mounir said.

But he stressed that Boeing would not pre-empt U.S. or Chinese regulators, who make final decisions on timing.

The 787 has been beset by production problems that have halted deliveries since May. In July, the Federal Aviation Administration said some 787s had a manufacturing quality issue.

Analysts say Boeing continues to tread a fine line between completing work it says it has itself identified on the 787, a vital alternative source of cash to the still recovering 737 MAX, and leaving the last word on timing to regulators.

Boeing said last month it had a "clear line of sight" to resuming deliveries but that the Federal Aviation Administration would make the ultimate decision.

"We remain committed to taking the time to ensure each airplane meets our rigorous engineering specifications. We are conducting inspections and rework and engaging in detailed, transparent discussions with our regulators, customers and suppliers," Mounir told Reuters in an emailed statement.

"While we never want to disappoint or cause delays for our customers, quality and safety always come first."

The 737 MAX was cleared by major Western regulators late last year after an almost two-year safety grounding, but China has yet to allow it back to service.

China`s aviation regulator has told airlines it is satisfied that design changes Boeing proposed for its 737 MAX plane could resolve safety problems, in a sign it is closer to lifting a more than two-year flight ban..

Mounir told reporters Boeing would comply with requirements from U.S. or international regulators.