se ne parlava da tempo dei vecchi 747 ,da sostituire
qualcuno sa se questa commessa è poi stata formalizzata??
Boeing, GE eye further THAI orders
By Suchat Sritama
The Nation
Published on May 8, 2008
US aircraft-maker Boeing and engine-producer General Electric (GE) are teaming up in Thailand, approaching Thai Airways International with high hopes of more orders.
According to Randy Tinseth, Boeing's vice president for marketing, commercial aircraft, the company and GE are negotiating with the national airline, which is in need of 20 new aircraft.
"We want to sell our new, 747-8 Intercontinental passenger and 747-8 freighter aircraft to Thai Airways, but we can't disclose details about the offers as the talks are secret," he said.
Tinseth said GE, producer of the Gen X engine for the 747-8 family, had also come to
Bangkok often to talk with customers as well as some agencies about technical service and maintenance.
Engine companies have become more important in selling aircraft as part of a package because of oil-price rises so airlines can get more information prior to placing orders. Fuel costs account for 40 per cent of total airline costs, doubling from 20 per cent previously.
While talks with Thai Airways are going on, Boeing yesterday held a seminar on its 747-8 family in Bangkok specifically for the airline's pilots, regardless of whether it sells new aircraft or not. The seminar is aimed at ensuring local pilots learn about the newest aircraft technology and how to work in the latest cockpits.
Boeing projected demand for 960 aircraft in its new 747 family and larger aircraft over the next 20 years.
The aircraft-maker said 590 aircraft are expected to be passenger planes while the remaining 370 would be freighters.
During the forecast period, Asia and Pacific will remain the largest market outside North America for commercial aircraft.
Boeing launched the commercial 747-8 programme in November 2005 with orders for 10 aircraft from Cargolux Airlines and 8 from Nippon Cargo Airlines.
Since the programme's launch, Boeing has received orders for 105 of the planes - 78 freighters and 27 commercial aircraft.
Lufthansa was the first airline to order the 747-8 Intercontinental, and Boeing continues to hold discussions with several passenger airlines.
According to Tinseth, Boeing completed 50 per cent of the design on its 747-8 freighter in March. It is scheduled to begin to begin production in the second half of this year while the commercial model is to enter service in 2010.
