Korean Air to buy Boeing 747-8 passenger planes
Published 6:29 am Friday, December 4, 2009
Korean Air will buy five 747-8 passenger planes in a key deal for Boeing’s jumbo jet program.
It has been three years since Boeing has won orders from a commercial airline for its revamped 747-8 passenger plane. Korean Air’s order, worth $1.5 billion at list prices, gives the program a crucial second customer.
The tentative deal, reported by Reuters, comes after a recent visit to the country by U.S. President Barack Obama. Korean Air also announced in October that it will provide wing components on the 747-8.
Since launching its 747-8 “Intercontinental” passenger plane, Boeing has received requests for just 27 jets — 20 from Germany’s Lufthansa and seven from undisclosed private VIP buyers.
The company’s freighter version of the 747-8, which is set to debut first, has enjoyed greater commercial success with 78 orders. The freighter is set to take its first flight early next year with first delivery by the end of 2010.
