Boeing to continue producing 777Fs after FAA approves emissions exemption

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted Boeing an emissions exemption for its 777 freighter that will enable the aircraft manufacturer to continue selling them beyond the end of  2027.

The decision by the FAA means that Boeing, which filed its emissions exemption request in December and had requested that the exemption be approved by 1 May, can sell 35 more 777Fs that will be be eligible for a Certificate of Airworthiness.

The approval gives the widebody freighter market a huge boost as the sector was facing a supply shortage.

As well as meeting continued 777F demand, the exemption will also enable Boeing to bridge the gap until its new generation 777-8 freighter comes to market.

“This exemption goes into effect on January 1, 2028, and applies to issuance of the first certificates of airworthiness for up to thirty-five 777F airplanes through January 1, 2031, unless sooner superseded or rescinded,” said the FAA decision document published on 16 September.

In last year’s petition document for the 777F emissions exemption, Boeing had pointed out that although the 777-8F will operate within fuel-efficiency limits, the model would not yet be on the market when the 777F could no longer be certified by the FAA.

The FAA added in the exemption approval document that it acknowledged “the practical benefits of permitting limited 777F production until its successor is available”.

The 777-8F was originally anticipated to come to market in 2027, but in October 2024, Boeing announced it would delay launch until 2028.

Boeing recorded a total of 15 777 freighter orders and 35 777 freighter deliveries last year. The company’s order and deliveries data shows 18 777Fs have been delivered to customers so far this year.