Boeing begins work on 1,000th 777
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Boeing workers have started assembling the 1,000th 777. The landmark aircraft – a Boeing 777-300ER – will be delivered to Emirates in March 2012.
Production, being undertaken at Boeing’s facility in Washington state, began on Wednesday with loading of the 29.5-metre wing spar. A ceremony was held to mark the start of production, and additional employee events will be staged throughout the 49-day building process.
“We reached this milestone in only 16 years, eight years sooner than the runner up the 747, because of the enormous popularity of the airplane by the airlines that operate it,” said Larry Loftis, vice president and general manager of the 777 programme. “Sixty-four airlines have ordered 1,295 777s. The numbers prove that the 777 is the world’s preferred airplane.”
Emirates is the largest 777 customer with 95 777s currently in its fleet. The 1,000th 777 will be its 102nd.