I got this from "Aviation Week" in my work email.
LAS VEGAS—Boeing is setting up a “turnkey” service to acquire former passenger 747-8I Intercontinental aircraft and convert them into long-haul business jet and VIP transports with custom designed and built interiors.
Although 747-8 production ended with the delivery of an -8F freighter model in January 2023, the final 747-8I passenger model out of 48 built was delivered to Korea Air in May 2017. Of these, around 31 remain in active passenger service with the bulk–some 19 aircraft–operated by Lufthansa.
Several 747-8Is were also delivered as purpose-built Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) or head-of-state VIP aircraft. The final 747-8 BBJ, a previously owned aircraft, was delivered to Qatar Amiri Flight in 2023. This aircraft was subsequently given to the U.S. for use as an executive airlift support,(Airforce One?) arriving in Waco, Texas, for modification work in August.
Aside from Qatar, other VIP versions have been delivered to the governments of Brunei, Egypt, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
As a VIP aircraft, Boeing says the 747-8 incorporates nearly 5,000 ft.² of cabin space “that can be designed and completed with oversight of a dedicated team under a single Boeing contract.” The company adds the 747-8 VIP can fly 75 passengers with a range of 8,500 nm.
Why does this have a Las Vegas byline?
ReplyDeleteWhile the links would open, I only saw a bold banner that it was Aviation Week; no text or menu.
Ok, after some online sleuthing, I see the byline is with respect to the announcement of the 747-8 VIP was made at the NBAA conference which is in Vegas this year.
I expect the rework of the airframe would be at Boeing's plant at Everett, or maybe at Southern California Logistics (formerly George AFB, still owned by USAF) in Victorville. Victorville is a major engine and airframe shop with large paint hangers. Boeing conducted flight tests of the Dream Liner there.
With the continued delays of the 777, the 747-8 fills the gap. Plus, customers prefer four engines. That last doesn't make sense to me since wide body two engine jets have at least 240ETOPS. Maybe it's the perception of safety.
At over $360 million per copy (depending on condition of the airframe) and over $23,000 per flight hour, I wonder how many customers there will be and how much profit there is in the program. Perhaps the real money is in maintenance contracts.
The Robb Report speculated that the 748-8 VIP aircraft would see 200 to 300 flight hours annually.
My opinion is this project is Boeing's attempt to remain viable. I can't fault them for that, the company has been hemmorhaging money for years.
That's nice. But when will they finish the new presidential airplanes, that are now 10 years late on contract?
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