Boeing is counting on airlines in India, the Middle East and Asia to prop up sales of its 777 series aircraft, as it targets 400 orders for its newest long-range passenger and freight carriers.
From inside the Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner that stopped off at Chek Lap Kok yesterday on a promotional tour around the world, a Boeing vice-president said: 'There's lot of interest all over the Asia area for the 777 family.'
Lars Andersen, who is also the 777 programme manager, believes there is a worldwide market for 200 Worldliners - the company's latest model, which can fly non-stop for up to 17,445 km - and for 200 777 Freighters, which will travel slightly more than half as far.
Boeing has orders from Air India, Qatar Airways, Eva Air, Pakistan International Airlines and India-based Jet Airways for the 777-200LR.
Mr Andersen put the lack of confirmed orders from big-name airlines down to global economic woes such as the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York, which also delayed the launch of the 200LR.
According to the International Air Transport Association, carriers in the US have lost US$36 billion since 2001. Last year they lost US$10 billion, whereas carriers outside the US posted an aggregate profit of US$5.2 billion.
