Huge 777 order fires up Everett Boeing plant

  • By Michelle Dunlop Herald Writer
  • Monday, November 14, 2011 8:28pm
  • Business

EVERETT — At his work station under a Boeing Co. 777, Tim Dixon conducted some of the last tests on the jet before it was to roll out the door in Everett Monday night.

The 777 belongs to Emirates Airlines, which placed an $18 billion order for 50 more on Sunday from the Dubai Air Show. At list prices, the deal is Boeing’s highest dollar value order in its history.

“Fifty airplanes is a good order,” said Dixon, who has worked on the 777 for nearly 20 years. “It makes me proud in a way that they want to order our airplane.”

Dixon was working on what will be Emirates’ 97th Boeing 777. Emirates already had 41 unfilled orders for 777s before it added the order for 50 777-300 Extended Range aircraft on Sunday.

“Emirates is one of our best customers,” Dixon said.

At the air show on Monday, Emirates airline President Tim Clark said the carrier would have “no problem” filling those new planes and the nearly 190 other aircraft it has ordered. It helps that the latest batch of 777s won’t begin to be delivered until 2015, giving the world economy time to recover.

“We’ve always been fairly bullish, and that is reflected in the size of the order and the value of the order. We’ve always taken a long-term view in regards to what is happening in the global economy. And we still take that view,” Clark said.

Clark said Emirates needs the extra planes to keep up with passenger demand and cope with marathon flights that can last more than 14 hours as it pursues its strategy of linking far-flung cities through Dubai.

Larry Loftis, general manager of the 777 program, described Emirates’ order as a big statement from a major airline on the competitiveness of the 777 in the years to come. Boeing faces competition from Airbus with its A350 Extra Wide Body jet. But Airbus announced last week it will delay its A350 program by six months, giving Boeing breathing room to figure out its response.

Boeing “truly values Emirates’ opinion” on the future of the 777, Loftis said. Emirates has been pushing for an upgraded version of the 777, likely with new engines and wings, to be ready in 2017.

“There’s probably no airline who knows the 777 as well as Emirates,” Loftis said.

The latest order is the equivalent of six months of 777 production.

The jet maker has been planning ahead on the next bump in production on the 777 and will go to 8.3 aircraft monthly in early 2013. Boeing has been closely evaluating and monitoring its 777 suppliers and is pleased with their progress toward the rate increase.

“We’ve actually started the hiring process” in hopes of having enough trained workers on hand when the rate increase begins, Loftis said. With about a 20 percent increase in 777 production, Boeing will need nearly as much of a percentage increase in workers on that line.

Dixon, a Mukilteo resident who works in functional testing on the airplane, feels fairly confident the company will be able to ramp up production on the 777.

“I think it’s within our grasp,” he said.

The Emirates order was announced from the Dubai Air Show, where Boeing, Airbus and others are showing off their planes and discussing deals with carriers in the Middle East.

European manufacturer Airbus predicted Monday that the Middle East will require some 1,920 new planes worth more than $347 billion through 2030. It estimates Mideast passenger numbers will grow 6.4 percent annually — well above the predicted world average increase of 4.8 percent.

Boeing thinks the potential market is even bigger. Its own forecast, released shortly after its rival’s, puts Mideast demand at 2,520 planes worth $450 billion by the end of the next decade.

Boeing and Airbus both announced orders on Monday from the air show. Boeing won’t actually see a net gain in orders from its announcement. Oman Air has agreed to take over an order for six 787-8s from Kuwait’s Aviation Lease and Finance Co., known as ALAFCO.

Airbus said that ALAFCO has increased a deal for A320 new engine option jets to 50. ALAFCO had placed a tentative order for 30 this summer but finalized the deal for 50 on Monday.

The Dubai Air Show runs through Thursday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

A closing sign hangs above the entrance of the Big Lots at Evergreen and Madison on Monday, July 22, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Big Lots announces it will shutter Everett and Lynnwood stores

The Marysville store will remain open for now. The retailer reported declining sales in the first quarter of the year.

George Montemor poses for a photo in front of his office in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Despite high mortgage rates, Snohomish County home market still competitive

Snohomish County homes priced from $550K to $850K are pulling in multiple offers and selling quickly.

Henry M. Jackson High School’s robotic team, Jack in the Bot, shake hands at the 2024 Indiana Robotics Invitational.(Henry M. Jackson High School)
Mill Creek robotics team — Jack in the Bot — wins big

Henry M. Jackson High School students took first place at the Indiana Robotic Invitational for the second year in a row.

The computer science and robotics and artificial intelligence department faculty includes (left to right) faculty department head Allison Obourn; Dean Carey Schroyer; Ishaani Priyadarshini; ROBAI department head Sirine Maalej and Charlene Lugli. PHOTO: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College.
Edmonds College to offer 2 new four-year degree programs

The college is accepting applications for bachelor programs in computer science as well as robotics and artificial intelligence.

FILE — Boeing 737 MAX8 airplanes on the assembly line at the Boeing plant in Renton, Wash., on March 27, 2019. Boeing said on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, that it was shaking up the leadership in its commercial airplanes unit after a harrowing incident last month during which a piece fell off a 737 Max 9 jet in flight. (Ruth Fremson/The New York Times)
Federal judge rejects Boeing’s guilty plea related to 737 Max crashes

The plea agreement included a fine of up to $487 million and three years of probation.

Neetha Hsu practices a command with Marley, left, and Andie Holsten practices with Oshie, right, during a puppy training class at The Everett Zoom Room in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Tricks of the trade: New Everett dog training gym is a people-pleaser

Everett Zoom Room offers training for puppies, dogs and their owners: “We don’t train dogs, we train the people who love them.”

Andy Bronson/ The Herald 

Everett mayor Ray Stephenson looks over the city on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2015 in Everett, Wa. Stephanson sees  Utah’s “housing first” model – dealing with homelessness first before tackling related issues – is one Everett and Snohomish County should adopt.

Local:issuesStephanson

Shot on: 1/5/16
Economic Alliance taps former Everett mayor as CEO

Ray Stephanson will serve as the interim leader of the Snohomish County group.

Molbak's Garden + Home in Woodinville, Washington will close on Jan. 28. (Photo courtesy of Molbak's)
After tumultuous year, Molbak’s is being demolished in Woodinville

The beloved garden store closed in January. And a fundraising initiative to revitalize the space fell short.

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, Advanced Manufacturing Skills Center executive director Larry Cluphf, Boeing Director of manufacturing and safety Cameron Myers, Edmonds College President Amit Singh, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 2 celebrating the opening of a new fuselage training lab at Paine Field. Credit: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College
‘Magic happens’: Paine Field aerospace center dedicates new hands-on lab

Last month, Edmonds College officials cut the ribbon on a new training lab — a section of a 12-ton Boeing 767 tanker.

Gov. Jay Inslee presents CEO Fredrik Hellstrom with the Swedish flag during a grand opening ceremony for Sweden-based Echandia on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Swedish battery maker opens first U.S. facility in Marysville

Echandia’s marine battery systems power everything from tug boats to passenger and car ferries.

Helion Energy CEO and co-founder David Kirtley talks to Governor Jay Inslee about Trenta, Helion’s 6th fusion prototype, during a tour of their facility on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
State grants Everett-based Helion a fusion energy license

The permit allows Helion to use radioactive materials to operate the company’s fusion generator.

People walk past the new J.sweets storefront in Alderwood Mall on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Japanese-style sweets shop to open in Lynnwood

J. Sweets, offering traditional Japanese and western style treats opens, could open by early August at the Alderwood mall.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.