Boeing’s 767s enjoy second act as a mid-size freighter
Chicago — Boeing plans to boost 767 production as the ageing jetliner gains new popularity as a mid-size freighter favoured by the likes of FedEx. A rebound in the global air-cargo market spurred the decision to boost annual output 20% to 36 planes by 2020, Boeing said as it reported earnings on Wednesday. This will be the third rate increase for the jetliner since early 2016. While best-known for opening trans-continental travel to twin-engine jets in the 1980s, the 767 is now enjoying a second act as a mid-range package hauler. Boeing has delivered 136 of its 767-300 freighters, according to the company’s website, and has another 63 unfilled orders in backlog valued at $13.4bn before customary discounts. Production of the 767 freighter slowed to a crawl this decade as Boeing marshaled resources behind a military tanker variant that is more than a year behind schedule. This provided an opening for Airbus, which is considering a freighter version of its slow-selling A330neo after di...
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